January show previews - County Wedding Magazines

Issue 62 November/December 2010www.giftfocus.comwww.giftfocus.comJanuary show previewsFair tradeTipping the balancewith ethical productsCollectablesSpotlight on an everchanging marketHANDMADEShowcase ofartisan rangesTime for teaPutting on a spreadwith sumptuousteawareWIN!VIP trip to Christmas & GiftPLUS• Children’s jewellery• Valentine’s treats• New baby gifts

November/December 2010 Issue 62Group EditorEmma Cant+44 (0)1376 535 611emmac@kdmediapublishing.comEditorSarah Reeve+44 (0)1376 535 614editor@giftfocus.comEditorial AssistantRianna Fry+44 (0)1376 535 613riannaf@giftfocus.comSales ManagerMark White+44 (0)1376 535 606markw@giftfocus.comSales ExecutiveSharon Connelly+44 (0)1376 535 607sharonc@giftfocus.comDesign ManagerVicky O'ConnorDeputy Design ManagerSarah BarnesSenior DesignerSophie HandleyGraphic DesignersLaura Perry, Steve Mckea,Hayley Kilminster, Leanne Walsh+44 (0)1376 535 616artwork@kdmediapublishing.comProduction ManagerStuart WeatherleySubscriptionsAlice Henson, Charlotte Tannett+44 (0)1376 514 000KD Media Publishing LtdBroseley House, Newlands DriveWitham, Essex CM8 2UL UKwww.giftfocus.comCover courtesy of Ashleigh & Burwoodwww.ashleigh-burwood.co.ukGift Focus is solely owned, published anddesigned by KD Media Publishing Limited. Whilstevery effort was made to ensure the informationin this magazine was correct at the time of goingto press, the publishers cannot accept legalresponsibility for any errors or omissions, norcan they accept responsibility of the standing ofadvertisers nor by the editorial contributions.The views expressed do not necessarily refl ectthose of the publisher. Gift Focus is publishedsix times a year. Subscription rates for overseasreaders are £75 per annum (incl. p+p), Chequesshould be made out to KD Media PublishingLimited and sent to Gift Focus, Broseley House,Newlands Drive, Witham, EssexCM8 2UL UK.Gift Focus magazine is proud to be associatedwith and supporters of:MEDIA SUPPORTERANTI COPYING IN DESIGNAverage NetCirculation: 7,379(01/07/09 to 30/06/10)contents 71news&eventsindustry news 6What’s what in the world of giftson with the show 10Trade show updatesbrand spanking new 14Latest launches to hit the markethot property 21Spotlight on the world of licensingcompetition 54Win a luxury trip to Christmas & Gift Harrogateq&a special 101Our experts tackle your retail queriesfocus on...internet technology 29First in a new series on multichannel retailingmarketing 51Effective communication in a nutshellthe ga 64All the latest from The Giftware Associationanti copying in design 66Steps to avoid court actionbusiness link 91Top tips for effective staff trainingspecial featureartisan appeal 41Showcasing handmade lines with great gift appeal41featurestime for tea 18Putting on a spread with sumptuous teawarefair gains 25Tipping the balance with fair trade productslove & kisses 32Valentine’s gifts to get hearts in a fl utterlittle treasures 35Hard-to-resist new baby giftsretailer interview 47Inside look at Pins and Ribbons new homeaccessories shopthe next big thing 57We join the hunt for winning collectableschristmas unwrapped 87Retailers reveal their festive preparationschildren’s jewellery 95Must-have lines for little onesup and coming 106Launch of an award-winning new businessshowschic 3930 th celebrations for leading handbag andluggage showchristmas & gift 53Kicking off the trade show calendar in Harrogategiving & living 61Second outing for Exeter-based home andgift showtendence 68Back on track after good August showingtop drawer 71Preview of the forthcoming January showmacef 96Reporting back from the 89 th edition heldin Milangiftfocus 3

christmas cheerFor most of our readers Christmas has beenon the agenda ever since last year’s decs werecarefully packed away.No sooner has the last of the turkey beeneaten and the final cracker pulled than it’s timeto start planning ahead. The festive season iscrucial for retailers and it starts with Christmas& Gift Harrogate from 9 th to 12 th January.What better way to get ahead in 2011than with a VIP trip to the show. Courtesy oforganisers HITF Ltd, Gift Focus is offering chance to win a luxury twonightstay in the beautiful spa town of Harrogate to visit the event.Don’t miss out - turn to page 54 to find out more!Gift Focus is also launching a special competition to find the nation’sbest dressed shop window this Christmas. Retailers are invited tosubmit high resolution photographs of their festive displays to be judgedon style, impact and innovation.Full details will be announced on our website shortly, so keep yourcameras at the ready and get snapping.The pundits are predicting that this Christmas could be a good oneon the high street with consumers splashing out to beat the new yearVAT hike.On page 87 Alan Monahan reports back from two establishedindependent gift shop owners on how they plan and present theirfestive offering for maximum returns.After Christmas the next major event on the retail calendar isValentine’s Day. On page 32 we showcase some winning lines to createa themed display in store to mark the occasion.Keeping product offering fresh and on trend is always vital and TopDrawer in January will be offering a healthy dose of inspiration to shakeoff the post Christmas blues.Starting on page 71 we preview some of the hot new products setto be launched at the show – a must-do event for all those looking fordesign-led ranges to set themselves apart from the competition.As well as all the regular news, top tips and business advice, this issueincludes a special feature on the burgeoning handmade sector, spotlighton fair trade products, latest insight on the collectables market plus allthe latest from leading trade shows at home and abroad.Enjoy reading and have a very merry Christmas.SarahSarah ReeveEditorgiftfocus 5

industry newsCatch up on all the latest in our news round upFunky Chinese tigerUK manufacturer Funky FeetFashions is expanding globally.Earlier this year a distributorfrom China commissionedthe company to design andmanufacture an exclusive exportonlybaby slipper complete withthe Chinese year of the tigercharacter. Since then the order hasled to more business.Founder Jane Hannan commented:“China is an important economyand is seeing an ever growing middle class with a sense of taste, style andan interest in foreign brands such as Funky Feet Fashions.“China’s population is amongst the highest in the world and continuesto grow rapidly, so we are confi dent that it will continue to be animportant market for us.”Funky Feet also reports orders from Russia and talks currentlyunderway with distributors in the USA and Australia. To handle theincrease in export demand the company, which has been going for eightyears, has increased production and taken on new staff. Visit the websitewww.funkyfeetfashions.co.uk for further information.Soothe and playAmerican based Mama K is launching in the UK with an eco-friendly aromaticmodelling clay.Chosen as one of the top 10 eco-toys in America last year, Mama K’sAromatic Play Clay is described as a 100% natural, kid-safe gluten-freemodelling clay made with soothing aromatherapy oils.Ingredients include certifi ed gluten free fl our, kosher salt (table salt withoutadditives), extra virgin olive oil, natural colours and organic essential oils.Mama K Aromatic Play Clay comes in a tube of fi ve scents - lavender,sweet orange, bergamot, lemongrass, and geranium.In the UK Mama K has appointed the company Nochicima as soledistributor. For further information call +44 (0)208 133 5381 or emailalessia@nochicima.com.Lilly + Sid award finalistsFollowing their triumph at the Kids in Fasion and styles awards(KIFS) earlier this year, babywear brand Lilly + Sid has beenshortlisted in the Growing Business Awards.One of just fi ve companies in the new product category,Lilly + Sid is the only clothing brand to reach the fi nal of theprestigious awards.The fi nal judging takes place later this year and panelistsinclude such well known names as James Caan of TV’s Dragons’Den fame.Lilly + Sid, now in its second year of trading, is launching itsfi rst seasonal collections to sit alongside its best selling Classicsrange of clothes, toys, accessories and gifts. The company iscurrently working on key product developments for new seasonlaunch at Bubble in January including new garment types andoptions for the gift market.Visit the website www.lillyandsid.com or emailimran@lillyandsid.com for details.BoxMart unveils new websiteBoxmart, trade suppliers of off-the-shelf gift boxes andbespoke packaging, has unveiled its new-look website.The site is designed to be user friendly and makeordering easier through a new collections section, productlinks and effi cient check-out process. The site is alsocomplemented by new photography.“As with all new websites, this has been a rewardingprocess of evolution. We are a successful, growing andstrongly reliable company and we are frequently innovatingand improving our products and services. The new websiteis the natural next step.”To fi nd out more visit the website www.boxmart.co.uk.6 giftfocus

news&eventsGibsons awards triumphFor the second consecutive year Gibsons My World range has won a gold andsilver honour at the Practical Pre-School Awards.Tested by childcare professionals and children, the Practical Pre-School Awardsaim to identify excellence in the field of educational toys.The multiple award-winning range now consists of 12 illustrations and isdesigned in collaboration with child psychologist Dr Amanda Gummer. All puzzlesmatch early years goals and are made in the UK from100% recycled board.For more information call +44 (0)208 661 1700 or emailamanda@gibsonsgames.co.uk.Shopping with styleLatest additons to the Whatever It Takes charity fundraisingprogramme include a limited edition Diane von Furstenbergclassic shopper.Famous fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg has nowlent her design talents to the new Whatever It Takes charitybag collection by donating an artwork and personalised‘Love is Life is Love’ message.The new collection of bags features artwork donated byinternational film stars, fashion designers and musicians.The Diane von Furstenberg classic shopper is madefrom cream cotton canvas and features a fashion illustrationwith bold red lips and a heavily lined eye. A portion of theproceeds from the sale of each bag is donated to the 21 stCentury Leaders Foundation to support key global projects,including those nominated by Diane von Furstenberg.The Whatever It Takes celebrity artworks have inspireda whole collection of products – from wristbands toclothing, from tableware to t-shirts and stationery – sold toraise funds for key global development projects includingenvironmental conservation, poverty alleviation and theprotection of children.Other celebrities included in this collection are LilyAllen, James Cauty, Charlize Theron and Joseph Corré fromAgent Provocateur, as well as some original favourites fromprevious ranges including Nicole Kidman, Coldplay, RonnieWood and Donna Karan.Telephone +44 (0)208 524 1084 or visit the websitewww.whateverittakes.org for details.Pedal powerAsobi has been appointed UKand Eire distributor for the Frenchretro style metal pedal carsmanufacturer Baghera.Thierry Bourret from Asobisaid: “Although a departure fromour core range of eco friendlytoys and games, we feel thatBaghera is a great addition to theAsobi portfolio. When welooked at Baghera’s customerbase and target market werealised there was a lot ofcommon ground.”Call +44 (0)1628 200 077or visit www.asobi.co.uk forfurther information.Widdop extends Sunday openingsLeading giftware supplier Widdop Bingham is increasing its Sundayshowroom openings in the run-up to Christmas.This year their North Manchester based showrooms will be open for fiveconsecutive Sundays starting from Sunday 31 st October up to and including28 th November from 10am until 2pm. To book an appointment contact thesales office on +44 (0)1616 881 226 or email sales@widdop.co.uk.giftfocus 7

industry newsEcoist partners with the Breast Cancer FundEco friendly handbag company Ecoist is continuing to support the BreastCancer Fund.In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Ecoistdonated 10% of online sales to the fund and is continuing to donate 1% ofsales through March 2011.“At Ecoist, we are committed to creating stylish, functional, and durableproducts that make a positive impact on the planet and through ourpartnership with the Breast Cancer Fund, we are able to promote anotherincredibly important cause,” says Jonathan Marcoschamer, co-founder ofEcoist. “The Breast Cancer Fund exposes and eliminates environmentalcauses of breast cancer, and we are honoured to help support their workfor the second year in a row.”Through sales of its one-of-a-kind, recycled sweet wrapper handbags,Ecoist hopes to donate nearly £2,000 towards the Breast Cancer Fund’smission. The eco friendly bags are handmade in a fair trade partnershipand are constructed from misprint and overrun sweet wrappers, soft drinklabels, newspaper and other flexible food packaging. For more informationvisit www.ecoist.com.Totseat appoints HippychickTotseat has appointed Hippychick as its UKdistributor.“Working with a distributor in the UK is anatural progression for a small business suchas ours, as the business grows and logistics getmore complex,” said founder Rachel Jones.Totseat produces innovative children’s chairharnesses and supports the Child AccidentPrevention Trust and the Royal Hospital for SickChildren in Edinburgh.For further information call +44 (0)1312 266 064 or visit thewebsite www.totseat.com.The SilveryThe company formerly known as Silverseashellshas changed its name to The Silvery.The new name has been introduced to reflectthe expanding diversity of the products on offerand the popularity of items like their best-sellingDancing Feather and sycamore seed necklaces.The company telephone number is still+44 (0)1273 472 570 but the website haschanged to www.thesilvery.co.uk.Hearts for charityThe Kate Hamilton-Hunter Studio is supporting Welsh charity, theLove Hope Strength Foundation.Co-founded and chaired by Mike Peters, two times cancersurvivor and acclaimed singer of Welsh rock band The Alarm,the company is donating 10% of each sale from its Love HopeStrength collection to the cause.Designed by 14-year-old Heather Clarke, daughter of officemanager Jan and created by Kate Hamilton-Hunter, the Love HopeStrength collection is made in memory of Heather’s grandmother,Joyce Lingard, who died of cancer in April this year.Inspired by Heather’s original designs the necklaces are made upof two hearts. Produced from 65% recycled silver and discardedbiscuit tins, the collection comes in ivory gift boxes adorned witha tiny aluminium heart and specially printed Love Hope Strengthinformation cards.The charity promotes innovative, music related, outreachand awareness programmes for leukaemia and cancer sufferers,survivors and their families. All of the funds raised in Wales directlyfund Welsh cancer initiatives, equipment and hospices.The collection includes tin and silver earrings and necklaces. Forfurther information email info@katehh.co.uk or call+44 (0)1745 826 500.Industry professionalsCait Daniels has joined the HaleEvents team dealing with pressrelations and the promotion ofthe company’s trade fair portfolio.Hale Events currently organisethe Giving and Living trade showat Westpoint, Exeter as well asThe Source food and drink tradeshow; also at Westpoint, Exeterand Select Bath held at TheAssembly Rooms, Bath.8 giftfocus

on with the showAll the important dates and news from the tradeshow calendardiary datesChristmas & Giftwhen 9 th -12 th January 2011whereHarrogate, NorthYorkshirewebsite www.harrogatefair.comTop Drawerwhen 16 th -18 th January 2011whereEarls Court, Londonwebsite www.topdrawer.comGiving & Livingwhen 16 th -19 th January 2011whereWestpoint, Exeterwebsite www.givingliving.co.ukMaison & Objetwhen 21 st -25 th January 2011whereParis, Francewebsite www.maison-objet.comTop talentThis September’s edition of Top Drawer boasted a 23 per centincrease in attendance with key buyers attending from majorhigh street retailers.The show offered inspiration, innovative ideas and productsfrom 700 international and UK based brands and designers.Show director Neil Gaisford commented: “At the heart ofTop Drawer is an abundance of new ideas and creativity fromsome of the most exciting brands in the retail industry, deliveringa feeling of positivity for the seasons ahead. The hunger of newinspiration was reflected in the increased attendance at theevent and in these challenging times, Top Drawer remains anindispensable and trend leading show.”Green & CoNew and exciting products were recognised by the Top Drawer Awards covering sevendifferent categories as well as best-dressed stands under and over 24 square metres.The winners were:Best Home Product – Green & Co for their decorative magnet boardsBest Gift – Stitch Designworks for their Doodle Art duvetBest Fashion Product – Renaissance Life for their Swedish Russian doll necklaceBest Children’s Product – Rosie Flo for their new colouring postcardsBest Greetings & Stationery Product – Laser-cut cards by Forever Handmade CardsBest-dressed Stand under 24 sq.m. - MAKE InternationalBest-dressed Stand over 24 sq.m. - Pip StudioScotland’s Trade Fair Springwhen 23 rd -25 th January 2011whereSECC, Glasgowwebsite www.scotlandstradefairs.co.ukShowcase Irelandwhen 23 rd -26 th January 2011whereDublin, Irelandwebsite www.showcaseireland.comThumbs up for new-look Stationery ShowNext April’s Stationery Show at the Business Design Centre in London is set to showcase agrowing number of first time exhibitors, following the decision to make it a standalone event.“The concept of buyers being able to focus on all sorts of stationery from a wide range ofsuppliers in one convenient central London location is proving a winner,” says organiser ChrisLeonard-Morgan.“Products on show to date will include leather journals, notebooks, pads, pens, pencils,diaries, calendars, children’s and licensed stationery, art and craft, paper, envelopes, gift wrap,filing products and desk accessories.”The Stationery Show takes place on 12 th and 13 th April 2011. For more information visitthe website www.stationeryshow.co.uk.Forecast good for leading craft fairCraft, Hobby + Stitch International 2011, Europe’s foremost trade show for the creative craft industry,looks set to be the biggest and best ever.Sales manager Andrew Morton said: “It really is fantastic news that more people are starting smallbusinesses in the craft sector, and definitely something we should shout about. We’ve seen a big increasein stand bookings this year which is really encouraging, with strong interest in particular from Internationalcompanies confirming space.”The show, which takes place at Birmingham's NEC from 20 th to 22 nd Feburary, 2011, promises brandnew features, the latest supplies and innovations, free business seminars and workshops.The Bright Sparks Pavilion, an area for new designers to launch new products to the market is already almost full.For 2011 the New Product Showcase is being sponsored by Gift Focus’ sister title Craft Focus magazine. A preview of the new products availableat the show will be produced and distributed both online and in a brochure prior to the show. Participation in the publication is exclusive toexhibitors at the show.For more information visit the website www.chsi.co.uk.10 giftfocus

news&eventsShow of strength at Autumn Fair InternationalA major marketing and promotional drive helped pull in the crowds atthis year’s Autumn Fair International (AFI).Show organiser Emap Connect Home & Gift has announced a majorupswing in visitor numbers, up significantly on every day of the show.The final footfall count is reported to be nine per cent higher than lastyear at 31,340* - the highest attendance since 2006.This follows on from AFI 2009 and Spring Fair International 2010 -which both saw a rise in visitor numbers.As well as leading independent retailers, majors and multiples, theSeptember show, held at Birmingham’s NEC, also attracted a largecontingent of international buyers from 76 countries.Managing director Louise Young said: “We raised the bar yet againfor Autumn Fair this year and the result was an extremely strongtransactional event for the great majority of suppliers who took part.Our exhibitors pulled out all the stops to help retailers gain that crucialedge in a competitive market.”Features such as the Pilgrim sponsored fashion accessories catwalkproved to be a big draw for visitors, with three catwalk shows a daycreating a vibrant buzz about the fair. The Cook Live! demonstrationtheatre in the Kitchen, Dining & Housewares sector, where celebritychefs including James Martin, Justin Capp and Aktar Islam also proved amajor attraction.(*subject to ABC audit)AFIAFIScotland and beyondOpening on 23 rd January 2011, Scotland’s TradeFair Spring will feature over 500 Scottish, Britishand European producers of gifts, homeware,jewellery, fashion accessories, clothing and textilesall in one large hall at the SECC in Glasgow.Held over three days it attracts a wide andvaried range of exhibitors, many of whom onlyexhibit in Scotland, and provides an importantbuying platform at the start of the new season.The show has a strong Scottish element withthe backbone dedicated to Showcase Scotland.Scottish Fine Soaps will be showcasing newhome fragrance products, which include candles,reed diffusers and scented drawer liners in theirpopular Boheme and Poetica ranges. The companyhas been creating fragrant bath and body productsfor nearly 40 years and has introduced the homelifestyle fragrance products as a natural extension to its popular ranges.Other well known exhibitors include Johnstons of Elgin, Lochcarronof Scotland, Ortak, Caithness Glass, Arran Aromatics, Sheila Fleet, Ness,Ingles Buchan, Calzeat, Strathmore Woollens and House of Edgar.For companies under two years old there is a special Launch Galleryfor design-led, start-up businesses. There will also be new exhibitors frombeyond Scotland and overseas including My Walit, Pintail Candles, TalbotImports, Millprint, Ester & Erik candles from Denmark and Owen Barryleather goods.Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring is run concurrently with Scotland’sSpeciality Food Show, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, with 120Scottish, British and continental fine food producers.To find out more visit the website www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk.Bodum backs Exclusively Housewares 2011Bodum has confirmed it will continue its key sponsorship of theExclusively Housewares buyer’s lounge next year.The lounge is for the exclusive use of buyers visiting the show.Thanks to Bodum, they will have access to free wifi connections,two private meeting rooms and light refreshments throughoutthe event.Jeremy Grant, Bodum’s UK sales controller, commented: “Weenjoyed overwhelming success at the 2010 show, which, coupledwith the high demand for the Bodum travel mugs which werehanded out in the buyer’s lounge, means we are keen to maintainthe additional brand exposure gained. Bodum is therefore delightedto be sponsoring the Exclusively Housewares Buyer’s Lounge againfor 2011!"The 2011 show takes place on 7 th and 8 th June at the BusinessDesign Centre in Islington, London. Launched in 2002 it has steadilygrown to its current size of 120 plus exhibitors representing one ofthe largest specialist line-ups of housewares and tabletop suppliersin the UK.For details visit www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk.giftfocus 11

on with the showToy Fair gets biggerToy Fair, the UK’s only fair dedicated to toys, games andhobbies, will be 30% bigger next year with nearly 200exhibitors.Companies such as Fiesta Crafts, Gear for Games,IMC Toys, John Crane, Jumbo Games, Kryia, Meccano,Ravensberger, Re:Creation, Treasure Trove Toys and WickedVision will be among those showcasing a wide range ofproducts, from pocket money to wooden toys; from familygames to puzzles and activity sets.Toy Fair takes place from 25 th to 27 th January 2011 atOlympia in London. To find out more visit the websitewww.toyfair.co.uk.The London Gift FairThe London Gift Fair made its debut at London’s Olympia in September, hosting over 130key brands.Following industry research, the show was launched to fill a gap in the market fora London based general gift fair. Organiser Clarion Events reports that while visitorattendance was lower than had been anticipated, many companies opened new accountsand experienced good levels of business. Show director Neil Gaisford commented: “I havereceived many positive comments about London Gift Fair and we are grateful for thesupport of our founding exhibitors who made the new show possible. Launch events presentmany challenges, and whilst we are aware that the numbers of buyers were not at the levelwe had anticipated, we feel London Gift Fair 2010 has given us a foundation on which tobuild and grow. Going forward, we will be closely listening to market feedback to establishLondon Gift Fair as a crucial addition to the trade show calendar in 2011.”Glee new product awardsWith more than 250 products enteredacross 11 categories, this year’s GleeNew Product Awards attractedstrong competition.The winners were selected by a teamof independent judges at the show, heldat Birmingham’s NEC this September.Entries were rated on a rangeof commercial, practical as well asenvironmental criteria.Ashortwalk enjoyed a double triumphwith its eco house names and numbersmade from recycled vending machinecoffee cups. They scooped top honoursin both the Home & Gift and Best ofBritish categories.Judge John Stanley commented: “Thisnew idea for house names and numbersfrom ashortwalk really stood out to me.It’s a substantial, good-looking productthat looks and feels like slate, yet is madefrom recycled paper cups.”To find out more visit the websitewww.gleebirmingham.com.looking aheadToy Fairwhen 25 th -27 th January 2011whereOlympia, Londonwebsite www.toyfair.co.ukMacefwhen 27 th -30 th January 2011whereMilan, Italywebsite www.macef.itChristmasworldwhenwherewebsitePaperworldwhenwherewebsite28 th January-1 stFebruary 2011Frankfurt, Germanywww.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com29 th January-1 stFebruary 2011Frankfurt, Germanywww.paperworld.messefrankfurt.comNew York InternationalGift Fairwhenwherewebsite29 th January- 3 rdFebruary 2011New Yorkwww.nyigf.com(All dates are subject to change, contactorganisers for more information beforemaking arrangements.)For further in-depth show previews turn toPage 53 Christmas and GiftPage 61 Giving and LivingPage 71 Top DrawerThe Aviemore Trade Show has been axed.Organisers have decided to cancel theevent after plans to stage the fifth editionin 2012 failed to attract enough supportfrom potential exhibitors.12 giftfocus

Take a look at some of the latest additions to the home and gift marketbrand spanking newThe Flower StorkProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Angel CakeTelephone +44 (0)1495 303 030 or email tania.james@thefl owerstork.com.RRP £8.95Each Angel Cake contains a 100% cotton baby bib and pair of cotton baby socks, cleverlyfolded and presented to look like a slice of cake. Available in sugar pink, classic white andcornfl ower blue.A set of 10 slices makes up a whole cake to create an eye-catching point-of-sale display.The latest in a collection of imaginative gifts containing baby essentials from this awardwinning company.Crumpet & SkirtProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Pink and blue pin-up gift wrapTelephone +44 (0)7712 650 348 or email elizabeth@crumpetandskirt.comRRP £2 per sheetLatest colourways in a range of quality giftwrap for stylish wrapping. Eachsheet is 50x70cms.Part of an eye-catching home and gift range which includes greeting cardsand new cushions featuring iconic pin-up stars.Designed by London-based Elizabeth Pinnock, the products showcase originalpin-up images from the 1950s.KICO ProductsProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:3D cushion lap traysTelephone +44 (0)1274 921 338 or email info@customtrays.co.ukRRP £24.99The range features 14 offi cially licensed titles including Spiderman and DoctorWho along with 30 animal designs. The 3D lap trays have a durable lenticular lensand are suitable for laptops. Animated artwork is available.The company says the trays are available on a drop shipping basis with same daydispatch or with discounts for bulk orders.Stock available for immediate delivery.BagabookProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Junior BagabookTelephone +44 (0)7821 895 381 or email enquiries@bagabook.comRRP £14.95Child’s version of the popular Bagabook book carrier. It can also carry writingpad or colouring book up to A5 size and includes six penholders. Available intwo styles – pink croc and purple leather look.Point of sale and images available.Stock available for immediate delivery.14 giftfocus

new productsPersonalised Memento CompanyProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Personalised space lunch bag and drinks bottleTelephone +44 (0)1782 744 900 or email sales@personalisedmemento.co.ukRRP £9.99 to £14.99The lunch bag and bottle both feature a bright space scene design along withchild’s fi rst name.No minimum order and the company says product can be dispatched in aslittle as 24 hours.Other items and designs are also available in the range including a personalisedstory book, colouring book and china gifts.Giles & PosnerProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Hard candy candyfl oss makerTelephone +44 (0)7845 278 583 or email sales@gilesandposner.comRRP £34.99A fun gadget which makes fl avoured candyfl oss from regular or sugar-freehard boiled sweets. Favourites like sherbet lemons, pear drops and colacubes can be used on their own or mixed to create a candyfl oss cocktail.Traditional granulated fl avoured sugar can also be used.The machine comes with user guide and instructions.Features include detachable, dishwasher proof bowl and splashguard.MAKE InternationalProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Punk rangeTelephone +44 (0)8456 860 960 or email info@makeinternational.comRRP £12 for the mug and £15 for the jug.Inspired by the punk era, the Punk range includes fi ve mugs and one jug,with slogans referencing popular music lyrics of the time. Each piece has ahole for attaching a safety pin to evoke the true punk spirit.The safety pin comes as a decorative extra in an envelope in the speciallydesigned gift box.A cool and unusual gift.Hazel BeeProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Hazel Bee booksTelephone +44 (0)7707 736 456 or email shop@hazelbee.co.ukRRP £7.50 eachThe fi rst books featuring Hazel Bee’s unique and quirky illustrationsincluding some new designs. The three titles are - In the Offi ce, Love andRelationships and Bad Parenting.Printed in the UK by an accredited eco-friendly printer using 100% recycledand Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) paper.Visit the website www.hazelbee.co.uk.giftfocus 15

and spanking newThe Herdy CompanyProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:2-in-1 Knit KitsTelephone +44 (0)1539 739 202 or email sales@herdy.co.ukRRP £28Two kits that offer the choice to knit a Herdy soft toy or hot water bottlecover from one, or an adult beanie hat or kids jumper and beanie fromthe other. Full instructions are included with wool and needles plus Herdysew-in label.The kits have been created in partnership with Rowan Yarns using natural,100% British wools.Herdy’s knit kits are being launched to coincide with the launch of the Campaignfor Wool initiative which, over the next fi ve years aims to promote theuse of wool over synthetic fi bres.Wild and WolfProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Rob Ryan canvas shopperTelephone +44 (0)1225 789 909 or email sales@wildandwolf.comRRP £24.95A practical shopper made from durable canvass featuring a classic RobRyan design.Comes with two pin badges on the strap and an interior zip up pocket.Part of a new collection of products featuring the work of Rob Ryan, famed forhis intricate and delicate papercuts.Seriously FunctionalProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:The Big ChopperTelephone +44 (0)1789 751 097 or email info@seriouslyfunctional.comRRP £22.99A fun chopping board with two interlocking, colour-coded, meat and veg brandedboards. The boards are made from durable food grade polypropylene to help preparemeat and veg safely and avoid cross-contamination.A fun, high impact product with cheeky design and great gift appeal as well as a seriouspractical application.Designed and manufactured in England.XystosProduct:Contact:Price:Specifi cation:Retailer Benefi ts:Other Information:Gleneagles Studio Oceanic collectionTelephone +44 (0)1914 991 570 or email sales@xystos.co.ukRRP from £29.99 to £59.99Dolphins and whales feature in the fi rst tranche of releases.Xystos reports that the success of Gleneagles Studio has prompted thecompany to introduce eight new line extensions and make a major investmentin six new collections - Geisha Figurines, Japanese Gods, Gold Amulets and theEgyptian, Feline and Oceanic collections.The ranges come in a variety of different mediums, fi nishes and textures.16 giftfocus

time for teaDress your store in style with a teatime spreadto impressThrow on the best tablecloth, dig out the napkins and doilies and get outthe best china – it’s time for tea.The British reputation as a nation of tea-lovers has hit renewed heightswith an upsurge in interest in all things tea-related - from fi ne bone chinatea cups and vintage designs to modern lines with a contemporary take ona traditional theme. The look is eclectic and individual, mix and match orcreate a story. With fabulous cakestands, teapots, teaplates and accessoriesto choose from you’re sure to brew up a stir in store.The 100 Years teaware collection is testament to the strength ofthe vintage fl oral trend. The collection features ten patterns fromthe Royal Albert archive produced over the past ten decades.+44 (0)1782 404 045www.royalalbert.comTruly Scrumptious is an awardwinningrange of fl oral tablewareand table decorations from TalkingTables. A cheap and chic way toglam up the table, products includean ingenious pop up cake stand,teapot shaped canapé sticks, caketoppers, pastel-hued doilies,paper table covers, napkins andfl ower gems.The range won theOccasions category in this year’sGift of the Year Awards.+44 (0)207 627 6767www.talkingtables.co.ukDisaster Designs offersa host of tea-themedproducts in its Flutters andFancies Range.+44 (0)1323 441 444www.disasterdesigns.co.ukThese brand new designs from Picture Palace Cards are partof a collection of ten by Abigail and Nigel Brooks exploringvintage teacup patterns.+44 (0)1539 621 661www.picturepalace.co.ukNew bone china Britannia teapot from RepeatRepeat. The company is based in Stoke-on-Trent,which is world renowned for its quality bone china.+44 (0)1782 845 870www.repeatrepeat.co.uk18 giftfocus

teawareCreative Tops new Katie Alice co-ordinated range includes cream porcelain tableware,kitchen textiles, kitchen storage and more.+44 (0)1536 207 710www.creative-tops.comMiss Etoile offers ainspiring range of tearelatedparaphernaliaincluding mini teapotcups, teabag holders,mugs and teacups indelicate pastel hues, spoons,tea strainers plus a deliciousselection of cakestands.+44 (0)1673 866 334www.missetoile.dkDesigned by Julie Spurgeon and handmade inStoke-on-Trent, Material Pleasures embodies thetactile qualities of English fi ne bone china. With itspleats and folds, the collection weaves a sensorystory. The collection is available in pure white orwith ‘pounced’ gold lustre rims or with a delicatemulberry-coloured hand-drawn fl oral print.+44 (0)1702 473 633www.materialpleasures.netFolklore from Wild and Wolf captures childhood memories throughthe eyes of Nina Jarema with curious creatures, playful silhouettes andquirky symmetry. Decorative motifs and simple colour feature on arange of tea time and interior products.+44 (0)1225 789 909www.wildandwolf.comJam Tart has introduced a new spotty design inspired aroundnan’s tea set with the addition of fascinating silhouettes; everycup and saucer in the set is different. There are cake stands, teaplates and tea pots to complete the range.+44 (0)1789 205 732www.jam-tart.comgiftfocus 19

hotAll the latest frompropertythe world of licensinghot propertyRainbow unveils new Edward Monkton giftsRainbow Designs is launching a new collection of gifts and stationery featuringthe popular character Edward Monkton.New additions include pencil cases available in three designs - Penguin ofDeath, Pig of Happiness and Shoe of Salvation. Quirky and functional newscreen cleaners star three of the brand’s most popular characters - Pig ofHappiness, Madness Hamsters and Penguin of Death, each with a soft wipebelly to keep computer, phone and laptop screens smudge free.Also new are hot water bottles featuring the Live Your Dreams, LoveMonkey and Pig of Happiness poem.“The popularity and potential of Edward Monkton seems to know nolimits and we are delightedto be launching our new giftrange in time for Christmas,”commented RainbowDesigns managing directorAnthony Temple.Call +44 (0)870 758 7700or log on to the websitewww.rainbowdesigns.co.ukfor details.Pixels to paperKissmekwik has become a licensee for thepopular American brand Bluntcard.Founded in 2009 Bluntcard producesa range of e-cards reported to have over20,000 fans on Facebook alone.Brighton-based Kissmekwik is turningpixels to paper creating a range ofBluntcards exclusively for the UK market.Telephone +44 (0)7946 774 311 or visitthe website www.kissmekwik.co.uk to fi ndout more .Additional Sanrio charactersFind the Three Daughters is the latest partner to join thelicensing programme for fi ve additional Sanrio characters.The company has been a long standing licensee forHello Kitty manufacturing a variety of gift productsincluding lip balms, mints and mini clocks all presented inquirky branded tins.The company will now be taking the fi ve additionalSanrio characters Kuromi, Badtz Maru, Chococat,My Melody and Keroppi and applying them to acomprehensive product range of gift items that willinclude magnets, clocks, mugs, keyrings, resin moneybox fi gures and a variety of products in tins includingpeppermints, chewing gum, sweets, charms, lip balm andbody butter.Libby Grant, brand director of Fluid Worlds the UKlicensing agent for Sanrio commented: “Find the ThreeDaughters Ltd have impressed us with their ambitiousplans for the additional Sanrio characters. Theircomprehensive product listing plays directly to our coretarget consumer, teen and ‘tween’ girls interested in coolbrands and quirky reasonably priced products. The sheervariety of gift items and their collectability will be the keyto the success of this line.”Super-cute newcomers make their debutThree new animals – The Hamster, The Duck and The Rabbit have joined the ArtlistCollection photography franchise.The newcomers made their debut at Brand Licensing Europe 2010 joining the ArtlistCollection: The Dog, The Cat and The Pig.The popular franchise features appealing pictures of the animals taken using a fi sh-eyelens. The Dog, The Cat and The Pig already boast a strong licensing programme, with anextensive list of products available across a wide range of categories.For further information call Sallie Deary at Kilogrammedia on + 44 (0)1279 778 919 oremail sdeary@kilog.co.uk.giftfocus 21

hot propertyParty timeTalking Tables has launched new licensedpartyware for kids big and small.Building on the success of its Very HungryCaterpillar, Ladybird Football, Charlie & Lolaand Where’s Wally ranges, comes an arrayof playful partyware including the Gruffalo,Flower Fairies and Come Dine With Me.Children’s publishing phenomenon theGruffalo joins the party with paper cups,plates and tablecoths as well as gamesincluding Pin the Tail on the Gruffalo. Thenew Flower Fairies range is based on thedrawings of Cicely Mary Barker, which havedelighted children for over 80 years.For the grown-ups there’s a new ComeDine With Me collection. Building on thesuccess of the television series – the range of after dinner entertainment aims toplease even the most challenging of dinner party guests.Call +44 (0)207 627 6767 or email info@talkingtables.co.uk for details.Getting ‘Glee’fulPyramid International has introduced a newGlee stationery rangeThe collection features popular charactersfrom the hit Glee television series andincludes A4 and A5 notebooks, pencil case,pencil pack and stationery set.To fi nd out more call +44 (0)1162 642 642or email mail@pyramidinternational.co.ukCapital creationGreen Board Games has teamed up withHarperCollins to produce its latest BrainBox title –BrainBox London.The latest addition is one of a range of memoryrecall games, in which players have just ten secondsto carefully study an illustrated card beforeanswering a question.HarperCollins’ map content has enabled GreenBoard Games to add another innovative dimensionto BrainBox London. Using imagery from CollinsIllustrated London Maps, the cards can be fi ttedtogether to form an illustrated map of the capital.For more information call +44 (0)494 580 011 oremail sales@greenboardgames.com.Coronation Street in the frameIron Gut Publishing has released a CoronationStreet limited edition range of pick-up art.Each piece comes mounted, bagged, with acertifi cate of authenticity and is also euro hooked,so it’s ready to retail.The popular TV soap Coronation Streetcelebrates its 50 th anniversary in December andthe range features some of the most memorablestorylines and characters.Email sales@irongutpublishing.com or call +44 (0)1618 480 880 for details.HarperCollins Publishers has announced newmerchandising deals which will see an extensivenew range of Collins Gem-branded productshit the retail market.Woodmansterne Publications has beenlicensed to produce greetings cards, gift wrapand tags, note-cards, and invitations featuringwords and defi nitions taken from the CollinsEnglish Dictionary, launching with a range ofgreeting cards targeting the male market.Bluebird Brands is developing a range ofstationery, bags, umbrellas and mugs featuring afun and inventive take on content and brandingfrom the Collins English Dictionary range.Email melanie.beer@harpercollins.co.uk ortelephone +44 (0)208 307 4534 for details.22 giftfocus

fair gainsEarth S quaredHantex LtdFair GroundsEarth S quared has been working with fairtrade producers in Vietnam for over eightyears and offers stylish fashion accessories thatare fab, funky and fair trade.“All of our products are designed by EarthSquared in the UK and we aim to combinefresh, stylish designs with quality craftsmanship.We are a registered importer with the BritishAssociation of Fair Trade shops and work withour partners to ensure fair trade criteria areembedded into everyday working life,” says thecompany.“All staff are trained on the job at theworkshop in Hanoi and our partners also havea workshop staffed by disabled artisans whomake Earth Squared purses. Each person isencouraged to progress and learn new skills sothat they can be promoted.”Visit www.fairtradewholesale.co.uk or call+44 (0)1620 824 392 to fi nd out more.26 giftfocusFair Grounds is the European soleimporter of a range of fairly tradedMexican mosaic jewellery, includingearrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets.The mosaics are made from stoneincluding stabilised turquoise and the shellof abalone. The metals used include fi nepewter (no lead) with silver, bronze, Germansilver and silver plating.Says the company: “All the silver used isartisan mined, meaning the silver is minedlocally and on a small scale with utmost caregiven to human health and environmentalprotection. The jewellery is made by a cooperativeof native Mexican women usingskills that have been passed down throughgenerations. The women have two aims –fi rstly to share their skills and artistry with therest of the world and secondly in doing so toprovide for their families so that they and theirchildren can live dignifi ed lives.”Telephone +44 (0)845 680 0563 or visit thewebsite www.fair-grounds.org.uk for details.Designed in the UK and produced inpartnership with a fair trade producer inVietnam, the new Milistyle range of silkaccessories was launched earlier this year atthe Harrogate Home & Gift fair.Milistyle is a division of Hantex Ltd whichhas been established as a manufacturer anddistributor of products for sewing and knittingfor over 16 years. Initially the range was basedaround knitting bags and sewing cases but ademand for accessories and interest from thegift market has led to the development of awider range of bags, accessories and scarves.Says the company: “The key objective is tomaintain the fi ne line between preservingtraditional skills and embracing modernprocesses such as design, quality control andorder management. Visits by our designer inthe UK to the workshops in Vietnam havehelped forge a close relationship and a betterunderstanding of each other’s processes andvalues.As a company we have no doubt that thesevalues are the keystone to a relationship whichensures the consistent quality of our product.”Visit the website www.hantex.co.uk ortelephone +44 (0)1754 820 800 to fi nd outfurther details.Tilnar Art, Besmo & MO-HOme has launcheda new fair trade range of recycled handbagsfrom India.The quality handbags are all fully lined andare made from jeans, seatbelts, rubber tyresand other recycled materials. They are madeby a non-profi t making co-operative based inNew Delhi which provides employment andeducation for the rag picking community thatthe project supports.Besmo provides point of sale posters to itsretailers to enable them to pass on the “story”behind the handbags to customers.For more information visit the websitewww.besmo.com or call +44 (0)1277 362 815.

Piccalillyfair tradeNamasteTilnar ArtFair trade and sustainability is at the heart ofthe Piccalilly brand, which offers bright, stylishand organic baby and kids clothingand giftware.Products include their best selling fairydresses – handmade on the island of Bali by asmall family business employing local ladies.New lines include non-organic but fairlytraded aprons from Jaipur, India, block printedusing traditional artisan techniques.The company is fair trade certifi ed for all itsorganic cotton ranges and has recently beennominated for Best Eco Baby & Toddler rangein the Prima Baby Fashion Awards 2011.“Knowing and understanding our supplychains was our starting point in creating thePiccalilly brand and it tells a great tale. By caringfor all the people involved in our production,from organic cotton farmer through togarment producer, we know we are creatingproducts people can trust are being ethicallyproduced to the very highest standards,”explains company founder Hannah Evans.For further details call +44 (0)1729 822 288or visit the website www.piccalilly.co.uk.from Africa, silks fromVietnam and felt from thePhilippines.The fairtrade companyis committed toethical tradingand its widerange of productsincludes gifts,jewellery, clothing,home accessories, softfurnishings and furniture.Telephone +44 (0)1756 700 790 or visit thewebsite www.namaste-uk.com for details.New Overseas Traders is a registeredmembe r of The World Fair Trade Organisation.By travelling to India two or three times ayear and working closely with the designersand crafts people the company says it ensuresthat its goods are produced in appropriateconditions, that the artisans are paid a fair priceand there is no child labour involved in theproduction. Pictured is one of the company’sbest selling footstools, which use recycledembroidery newly patchworked.New Overseas Traders is part of the IndiaShop Group. Call +44 (0)1672 851 166 orvisit the website www.theindiashop.co.uk forfurther information.Saffron Winds wasestablished fi ve years agoby Fiona Muirhead, whowas born and broughtup in Malaysia and has aspecial affi nity to Asia andSaffron Windsits people. The businesswas set up fundamentallyto help and give hope topoor and disadvantagedartisans in Cambodia.“Our suppliers are all fairtrade organisations inCambodia which benefi tfrom their membership ofthe Artisans’ Associationof Cambodia (AAC),which is IFAT registeredand is also a member of the Asia Fair TradeForum,” explains Fiona. “Our range is extensiveand covers ethical and contemporary fashionaccessories, jewellery, homeware and gifts.Our products are distinctive in that they arecolourful and innovative.”New products launched this autumn includeJasmine wrist clutch handmade from raw silkavailable in red and black. More colours will beadded in the spring.Three new shades of blue have beenintroduced in the small shoulder bag range,made from recycled rice and fi sh bags as wellas a new photo frame made from recycledpaper plus new Christmas star decorationsand more.Visit the website www.saffronwinds.com/wholesale or call +44 (0)7738 619 064for details. gSaffron WindsBrand new from Namaste is the Love rangeof gifts. Fairly traded from India in rainbowcolours, the collection includes jewellery boxes,notebooks, purses and cushions. Some ofNamaste’s recent additions include soapstoneNew Overseas Tradersgiftfocus 27

Now incorporating the Besmo & MO-HOme collectionsRecognised BAFTSFair Trade ImporterTilnar Art, Besmo and MO-HOme sourcesunique Fair Trade high quality gifts andhome furnishings direct from artisansfrom the developing world.All our items are handmade and while notwo are exactly alike, each is a creation ofart and a one-of-a-kind collectable.We pride ourself in the quality of ourFair Trade products and the excellentservice we offer our customers.Hall 7 Stand D18Spring Fair 6-10 February 2011Bamboo VasesBamboo BowlsHandmade WoodCarvingsRecycled Jean HandbagsRecycled Vinyl HandbagsHandmade Leather AnimalsHigh Quality Fair Trade Gifts & Home FurnishingsEmail: sales@tilnarart.co.ukTel: 01277 362 815 or 07740 946 518www.besmo.com www.tilnarart.co.uk

etail technologymultichannelretailing todayExpert David Mackley brings us the first in a new series of articles on multichannel retailing andhow it can boost businessMultichannel retail is exciting for customersand quite scary for many retailers. It bringswith it new opportunities and new threats. Itis about change in customer shopping habits.Yet it is vital for the retailer not to lose sightof the customer’s fundamental needs, whichactually haven’t changed. This is the first in aseries of articles looking at the pros and consof multichannel retail, the potential pitfallsand risks and how it can boost profits forthose who get it right.Last year, I visited a pub that refused to takecredit cards. Intrigued, I asked why and theowner explained that he was quite resistantto the banks taking a percentage of whatshould be his money, he didn’t feel it wasright. Not too long afterwards the pub closeddown. Unfortunately he missed the fact thatregardless of his own feelings, his customershad changed, they wanted and needed to payby credit card and by refusing to change withthem his business suffered.Change is of course a part of every business,and recognising how your customers arechanging is vital for any business owner. It’s notnecessarily easy though. Change is not alwaysthat obvious. At first change, especially changedriven by technology, can be surrounded bylots of hot air and hype, and then graduallybecomes reality, creeping up over several years.Leading information technology research andadvisory company Gartner identified this routeto change in its Hype Cycle, which shows whathappens with many new technologies; Internet,3G phones (remember that hype?) and others,where the potential for the technology iswritten about by an excited press beforecompanies have a chance of making thepotential benefits a reality. This creates apeak of inflated expectation followed bydisillusionment when people try out the newtechnology. This happened with the internetwhen we had dial up connections and poorquality websites and search engines. But thenthe functionality improves over a period ofyears. This is the risky part. Those who haven’tchanged in the initial rush can be caught outas the wave of change is slow and steady yetpowerful and gets less publicity.“Change is of course a part ofevery business, and recognisinghow your customers are changingis vital for any business owner.”Multichannel retailing itself is not a newchange, it was over 35 years ago that Argosrecognised a market where customers wantedto browse at home and buy in store. Theysuccessfully addressed that market with theircatalogues and shops. The wider emergenceof integrated multichannel retailing is morerecent, being driven by the expansion of theinternet as a new selling channel. For example,the internet now represents a third of Argos’giftfocus 29

etail technologyoverall sales (with the check & reserve servicekey to this growth which underlines theimportance of it being multichannel not justinternet).“Multichannel retailing is firstlyabout the customer. It is aboutrecognising that many of today’sconsumers want multiple touchpoints with their retailers whenand where they want them.”What is multichannel retail?Multichannel retailing is firstly about thecustomer. It is about recognising that many oftoday’s consumers want multiple touch pointswith their retailers when and where theywant them. These touch points can includethe shop, internet, telephone or smartphone.A multichannel retailer will aim to offer aconsistent brand presence no matter whichtouch point the customer uses.Now if a retailer only offers two touchpoints (shop and phone) and the consumeruses four (shop, phone, web and smartphone)then the retailer is missing out on revenueopportunities, and risks losing that customer toa competitor with the right touch points.Mark Lewis, chief executive of Collect +said: “Our research has shown that retailersmust continue to adapt to offer services thatfit in with busy commuter lives if they are tomaintain customer loyalty.”This change in consumer shopping habitsallows retailers the opportunity to engage withtheir customers more than ever before, acrossdifferent touch points. If they get it right theycan grow their businesses, but there is a risk ifthey don’t they can lose customers’ loyalty.What does the customer want?If multichannel retail is really about thecustomer, what does the customer want? Wellthey want what they have always wanted:1) good service;2) convenience; and3) value for money (VFM).In the early days of the internet, even upuntil quite recently, it was viewed by many inretail as a disruptive new technology. Therewas talk of customers abandoning stores andbuying most products and services over theinternet at the cheapest possible prices. It wasall about price. But with the rush to get online,the technology driving the websites was notrefined; this had a negative impact on qualityand service.“In the early days of the internet,even up until quite recently, itwas viewed by many in retail as adisruptive new technology.”Now things have changed. The pendulummay have swung away from the core customerrequirements of service, convenience and VFMfor a while as people chased cheapest prices inthe excitement of this new shopping channel.However the pendulum has now returned toa happier medium reflecting the traditionalcustomer values.In the next issue we will look at anexample of how one of the most successfulmultichannel retailers in the UK focuses onthese core values and not on price. Theymaintain margins, deliver a high quality ofservice and are growing rapidly in doing so. gDavid Mackley MBA BSc is MD ofIntelligent Retail – providers of MultichannelEPoS and eCommerce websites forindependent retailers. If you have anyquestions you can contact David on 08456800126 or dmackley@intelligentretail.co.uk30 giftfocus

xxxwith love& kissesxxxShake off the winter blues with aheart-warming range of Valentine’s giftsFebruary 14 th is the fi rst major event on the retail calendarafter Christmas.Valentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to shake off thepost festive doldrums by turning people’s thoughts to hearts andfl owers. It heralds the start of the busy spring time period andfor retailers looking to cash in it pays to stock up with some ofthe latest hot products. We reveal some inspirational lines to gethearts all of a fl utter.I Love You pewter pebbles from Metal Planet are three solid shiny pewterpebbles in a ruby red organza pouch, which simply say “I Love You”.+44 (0)208 440 2468www.metalplanet.netNow in its 11 th year Carrie Elspeth Ltd providesjewellery, all handmade in Wales. Collections includea number of stunning heart-themed designs.+44 (0)1446 771 271www.carrieelspeth.comHis ‘n’ Hers pair of ceramic mugs from Wild & Wolf’snew Rob Ryan range featuring his intricate designs.The mugs are dishwasher safe and come in astylish box with paper cut detail.+44 (0)1225 789 909www.wildandwolf.comxDear Darling is a pegged out product from Angelic Hen.Made of wood with a metal hanger, striking red heart designand peg – ideal for displaying a romantic message or even aValentine’s proposal!+44 (0)1600 891 572www.angelichen.comApplesto Pears(formerly ATPGifts) has launcheda new range of gifts in atin, including the Tin of Heartswhich contains soap, soap fl akes,bath bomb and tealight.+44 (0)1453 872 098www.atpgifts.comWho can resist the lovable Lost Dog fromXystos. This piece titled Have a Heart is a surewinner for Valentine’s Day.+44 (0)1914 991 570www.xystostrade.co.ukEnesco’s Alphabet votives include one for every letter of the alphabet, plus thesymbols &, @ and a love heart.They come in a selection of four deep colours, burnt orange, teal blue, sagegreen and deep magenta. As well as a letter etched on the front of the votivethere is also a pretty fl oral detail etched on the back, so they can be displayedall year round.+44 (0)1228 404 022www.enesco.co.uk32 giftfocus

valentine’sxxxvalentine’sSmitten is one of two new Valentine’s ranges from handmadecard specialists Blue Eyed Sun. Flittered and hand embellishedwith glitter and jewels on quality GF Smith boards, the cardshave an overall size of 170mm square. All cards come cellowrappedwith a coloured envelope.+44 (0)1273 823 003www.blueeyedsun.co.ukLove is in the air at Vivid Wrap withthe launch of its new Valentine’scollection. All handmade fromrecycled cotton, the company’srange of new gift wraps, bags andboxes make a bold statement.King & Queen of Hearts is acontemporary collection of wraps,bags and boxes. Large glitter heartsand regal crowns give a very Britishfeel to the design. Available in bothred and black for the king or queenin anyone’s life.+44 (0)1225 740 098www.vividwrap.comA4 photo album from Disaster Designs’ Flutters and Fancies range.+44 (0)1323 441 444www.disasterdesigns.co.ukNew to the It’s a Comical WorldSnoopy collection is Kisses, anovelty gift for couples, cupids andromantics of all ages.The 8cm vinyl character featuresan all-over red lips design.+44 (0)870 758 7700www.rainbowdesigns.co.ukTalbots has a selection of heartthemedjewellery including thisset featuring tonal enamel heartson two row black metal necklacewith matching earrings.+44 ())1273 776 415www.talbotfashions.comRetreat Home’s range of gifts and interior accessoriesfeature cosmetic bags in quality linen, with embroideredand appliquéd hearts, Love or Kiss & Make-up messages.Retreat’s signature lavender scented linen hearts are also apretty and practical Valentine’s gift.+44 (0)8708 033 428www.retreat-home.comHearts from Danielle is part of the company’s 2011 spring/summercollection.The trendy range features a cute heart design in ten useful stylesincluding a glasses case (large enough for sun glasses), manicure set andhandy mirror.Made from 100% coated cotton for durability, the accessories are bothpractical and pretty for home or travel.+ 44 (0)1277 220 842www.danielle-ltd.co.ukgiftfocusxgiftfocus 33

Available from January 2011See this and our new Spring/Summer Collection of Cosmetic/Beauty Bags at theInternational Spring Fair NEC Birmingham6th – 10th February 2011 – Hall 20 Stand G04Danielle Creations Ltd, Hubert Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4JYFor further information please contact us on:01277 220842 brian.halstead@danielle-ltd.co.uk www.danielle-ltd.co.uk

new babyWiddop and Binghamlittle treasuresDespite the tough economic climatepeople are still prepared to splash out ontheir little ones. We showcase a selectionof hard-to-resist lines for new arrivalsBabies are big business and even in therecession people have continued to dig deepfor that extra something special.From birth to christening and naming days,there’s a whole host of landmark occasions tomark the journey from cradle to fi rst stepsand beyond.Leading gift supplier Widdop and Binghamreports a growing trend for keepsake boxesand journals to preserve treasured memorieslike baby’s fi rst shoes, hospital name tag as wellas the more traditional fi rst tooth or curl.“The importance of keeping a recordof a baby’s life is refl ected in the growth ofgifts such as keep sake boxes and journals,”confi rms marketing manager Susan Grant.“Scrap-booking is a popular trend and manyparents are looking to keep a record using ajournal. Special photographs, a record of fi rstsand funny stories can all be recorded and keptfor posterity.”The company predicts the move towardsclean and simply designed products will be abig trend for 2011.“Over-frilly and twee products are beingreplaced by a handmade and natural look - apopular design concept that has moved overto the baby section,” explains Susan.“2011 will see some exciting developmentswithin our nursery range. We will be launchingexclusive ranges designed specifi cally for theUK market.”New from the company is a fawn polkadot design collection suitable for either a babyboy or girl. The range includes a handy photoframe, portable photo album, storage box forbaby’s precious keepsakes and a record book.The suede fi nish and a silver plated “baby”icon add the fi nishing touches.+44 (0)1616 881 226www.widdopbingham.co.ukWinner of Gift of the Year Awards 2009, TheBirthday Yearbook makes a great keepsakeand christening present. Designed toaccompany a child through the fi rst 18 yearsof life the book has two double page spreadsper year for photos, comments, space to jotdown milestones as well as a page for friendsand relatives to write greetings on the child’sactual birthday. The book comes in a sturdybox to keep it safe over the years as anheirloom for future generations.www.2littleboys.co.uk+44 (0)208 400 3606Bunnykins from Great Gizmos offers acollection of gifts that are both practicaland timeless.The children’s melamine tableware comes infour styles suitable for boys and girls, includinga brand new silver range that makes a great giftfor new babies. Each style combines traditionaldesigns with modern materials that can beused every day. Across the collection there arean assortment of mealtime sets.For a special keepsake the silver platedspoon, complete with Bunnykins fi gure on thehandle, comes in a black velvet gift box.www.greatgizmos.co.uk+44 (0)1293 543 221Great Gizmos2 little boysJoe Davies, the Manchester based importer ofthe Shudehill giftware collection, boasts oneof the largest range of christening and babyrelated gifts in the UK.From silver plate money boxes andframes to fabric albums and ceramic andresin collectables they offer a wide selection.Pictured are some of their best selling My FirstYear Clocks.www.joedavies.co.uk+44(0)1619 756 300Joe Daviesgiftfocus 35

little treasuresLancaster and GibbingsHeron Fine China has been producinghand painted christening gifts at its historicStaffordshire premises since 1979. As wellas more traditional birth and christeningplates, clocks, cups and photo frames they alsoproduce a varied selection of money boxes.Brand new to the range is the Munny Bunnyavailable in three different colourways, Patches,Flower Power and Spotty.www.heronfi nechina.co.uk+44 (0)1782 326 717New from Metal Planet are album andkeepsake box combination packs. Pretty coordinatingpocket albums with a matching minikeepsake box. The range covers new babyarrivals and christenings.www.metalplanet.net+44 (0)208 440 2468Metal PlanetMoney boxes from Repeat Repeat continue tobe a favourite christening gift.The contemporary bone china range(pictured) features an owl design, which is alsoavailable on a bone china photo frame in pinkor blue. All come attractively gift boxed.Designed and made in Stoke-on-Trent,England by Gillian Naylor and Mark Faulkner.www.repeatrepeat.co.uk+44 (0)1782 845 870BoxMartLancaster and Gibbings is a UK basedmanufacturer of cast pewterware. All thedesign work is done in-house and collectionsinclude baby boxes for fi rst tooth and fi rst curland photo frames. The Baby Charms frame(pictured) features images Jim Lancaster usedfrom looking around his house at his ownchildren’s array of toys and paraphernalia.www.lancasterandgibbings.co.uk+44 (0)1803 868 181MAKEInternational’scontemporarybaby rangefeatures a simpleblue star for boysor pink heart forgirls and includesindividual mugs aswell as gift boxedmug, bowl andplate sets.www.makeinternational.com+44 (0)8456 860 960BoxMart stocks a wide range of boxes suitablefor baby products, ideal for gift sets, quiltsand bumpers as well as smaller gift boxes forchristening gowns, blankets, teddies and toys.All boxes can be ordered with a variety oflid and base colour combinations. Clear lidoptions are also available. Boxes are suppliedfl at packed for ease of storage.www.boxmart.co.uk+44 (0)1543 411 57436 giftfocus

New baby gift giving is a Piece of CakeBeautiful Baby Clothes BouquetsNEW Angel Cake range now availableNo Minimum Order - On-line Orderingcontact usfor a freesampleNOT JUST“GREEN” GLASSGlass is certainly the ideal“green” material - butJarapa sells 100% recycledglassware in a whole rangeof colours and patterns tosuit every taste and budget.Full product cataloguesavailable online.www.thefl owerstork.comemail: wholesale@thefl owerstork.comtel: 01495 303030JARAPA LTD NATURAL & RECYCLED HOME INTERIORS0845 5191982 • www.jarapa.co.uk • stewart@jarapa.co.uk

chicIn briefshowChicwhereThe Ricoh Arena, Coventrywhen 30 th January-2 nd February 2011website www.chicuk.comorganiser M&S Exhibition Servicesopening hours Sun-Tues 9am-6pmWed 9am-5pmchic uniqueChic the UK trade event for the handbag and luggageindustry celebrates its 30 th show next year and promises tobe bigger and better than ever beforeChic celebrates its 30 th show next year.To mark the landmark birthday, organiser M&SExhibition Services is planning an event whichpromises to be the biggest and best yet.Staged at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry at theend of January 2011, the show is set to deliverthe biggest choice of handbag and luggagebrands to be found at any UK show.Chic claims a host of unique features:• It was conceived at the request of the majorUK handbag and luggage brands when noother show suited the specifi c buying / sellingseason of the industry.• It is organised by family members who haveowned businesses in retail and wholesalewithin the sector with an understanding for theexpectations of visitors and exhibitors.• The mission throughout the years has beento provide a relaxed and enjoyable buyingexperience where everything can be seentogether under one roof.To celebrate the 30 th Chic show, there will bea ‘catwalk with a difference’ hosted by majorcelebrities (to be announced soon), an ecofriendlyfashion zone, seminars on leatherproduction and other interesting topics toenhance retailer’s knowledge of the productsthey sell.There will also be a fresh new look for 2011making the buying experience at Chic evenmore enjoyable.As always parking is free of charge directlyoutside the venue and a free shuttle service isprovided to collect visitors from BirminghamInternational Railway station, which is adjacentto the NEC and the airport (accessed byexpress monorail). Chic is now more accessiblethan ever before!There are so many brands to see at theshow including Smith & Canova, CarltonLuggage, Nova Leathers, Azure Designs, N. V.Bags, Betty Barclay, Funky Jewellery, Golunski,Sirco, Gigi, Mywalit, Mayfair Trunk Co, Ronetto,Ferre Milano, Quindici, Jump Luggage, W.Brown, Rowallan of Scotland, Ouch Bags andmany more.For full details visit the websitewww.chicuk.com. ggiftfocus 39

HANDMADE HANDBAGS AND ACCESSORIEShazel atkinson jewelleryAnodized aluminium jewelleryhandmade in Nottingham UKwww.bertiegirl.co.ukbertie@bertiegirl.co.uk(01356) 626968 www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.ukTel: 0115 958 6183

artisan appealhandmadeHandmade gifts have growing appeal for today’s discerning consumersas people look for gifts with provenance and lasting attraction. Take alook at some of the latest offerings from this burgeoning sectorPicture courtesy of Emily’s Ark (www.emilys-ark.com)giftfocus 41

most wantedHandmade inNorthamptonshire,Daisy Roots hasintroduced luxurytanned suedewinter booties, with dark brown suede stitchedtrimming. The boots are lined with white fl eece witha white furry inside trim. The little booties come in anorganza draw string bag.+44 (0)1604 880 066www.daisy-roots.comBertie Girl makes innovative handmade handbags andaccessories from Scotland’s iconic Harris tweed.“I’m very proud to be making and using handmadeproducts, it means there’s no compromise on design orquality. I’m glad to say this is not going unnoticed, retailersand their customers are recognising this too and realisingthe provenance in buying and giving handmade gifts,” saysowner Roberta ‘Bertie’ Trouton.Pictured is one of her new Aye phone covers and aHarris Blossom brooch.The Aye phone covers are made from handwoven Harristweed and come with a Harris tweed authenticating labelon the back.+44 (0)1356 626 968www.bertiegirl.co.ukBy Alex collections are designed and made in Northamptonshire.“My inspiration for this season is bows and the excitement of unwrapping gifts,”says Alex.The range includes draught excluders, cushions and lavender hearts all withbows that mix and match to create a country cottage style. The bows arereversible and washable. All handmade by Alex from 100% cotton and availablein four colour options.+44 (0)7879 620 864www.by-alex.co.ukButton studio is a new jewellery company that makes colourful pieces thatare eye-catching and affordable. All the jewellery is handmade by founder JaneWalsh from clear resin and reclaimed buttons in an array of colours. Each piececomes with a handmade pillow box with a button threaded on for that extraspecial touch. Button studio started out by doing commissions for people whowanted to turn their family button tins into jewellery to preserve a piece offamily history.+353 (0)876 709 530www.buttonstudio.ie42 giftfocus

handmadeHazel Atkinson has evolved to become aleading practitioner in the art of dying, fi xing andtransforming base aluminium into fabulous designsand fantastic colour.Her new collection of anodised aluminiumjewellery Natural Selection is created using a selectivecreative process where only the strongest and boldest coloursand designs survive. Each uniquely hand painted piece is rooted in a fl oral design andexplodes with vibrant colour.+44 (0)1159 586 183www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.ukNamaste has a brand new collectionof hand carved soapstone gift itemsproduced on a fair trade basis fromKenya. Using a limited number oftools, the carvers mine the soapstonein blocks, then cut off smaller chunksfor carving. A small knife called a ‘kisu’is used by the carvers to produce theindividual items.Bright and colourful, many of theitems feature a delicate fl oral patternand include fun hippos and cats,decorative hearts and eggs, tealightholders, trinket boxes, necklaces andkeyrings. The image shows heartshaped trinket boxes, and carvedred hearts with message, which areavailable in two sizes.+44 (0)1756 700 790www.namaste-uk.comAt The Silvery each pieceof jewellery starts with anoriginal organic item like ashell, leaf or feather. They arecoated in layers of pure silver,with items such as feathersand leaves receiving a thicklayer of copper-plating fi rstto ensure the fi nished piecesare durable. Because theoriginal item remains inside,preserved forever, every pieceis truly unique. Each stage ofthe process is carried out bya small team in the companyworkshop in East Sussex.The leaves and feathersand many of the shells are allsourced locally.+44 (0)1273 472 570www.thesilvery.co.ukMade from 65% recycled silver, the SimplySilver collection from the Kate Hamilton-Hunter Studio boasts a variety of fi nishes;hammered, polished and oxidised. Although it’spossible to buy in pre-hammered sheet silver,Kate felt this didn’t fi t with the company ethosand instead all fi nishes are completed by handin the studio.Both the heart and disc collections featuresilver renderings of the studio’s most popular tin designs plus some new ones that capitalise on thelovely qualities of silver, including unique and beautifully fi nished handmade earwires.All Simply Silver jewellery is packaged in ivory gift boxes adorned with a tiny aluminium heart.The company has an eco-policy and in addition to breathing new life into prospective landfi ll fodder,does all it can to keep its carbon footprint low. All the jewellery is handmade in North Wales by asmall team of arty ladies.+44 (0)1745 826 500www.katehh.co.ukgiftfocus 43

most wantedSnapdragon has launched a range of handmade phonecosies made of 100% fulled Yorkshire wool with appliqué inrecycled fabrics and fi nished with freehand embroidery.All are handmade in Scotland.+44 (0)1360 660 903www.snapdragongarden.co.uk.Emily’s Ark is a textiles crafts business which makesjointed textile animals, featuring everything fromaardvarks to hares and camels.“By combining quirky new designs with the traditionalprocesses and materials we have created a range ofbeautifully crafted animals. We are very proud of the factthat all our items are handmade in Northumberland fromdesign to creation each animal is uniquely made by hand,”explains company founder and lead designerEmily Pitkethly.The company has also launched a range of kits toenable customers to create their own jointedmohair animal.+44 (0)7810 865 852www.emilys-ark.comAt Vivid Wrap every paper product is lovingly handmade. It takes two people a dayto make 500 sheets of cotton paper and then a further day to screen print them. Allits gift boxes, gift bags, photo albums and guest books are all handmade – enablingthe company to make its products to high standards and exacting specifi cation.Vivid create two collections a year - spring/summer and autumn/winter each withover 300 products each season.+44 (0)1225 444 309www.vividwrap.comBased in South Wales, Ronin Designs produces fashion jewellery using semi-preciousgemstones. The beauty and variety of the gemstones provides the inspiration fortheir jewellery; the addition of freshwater pearls and glass beads help to create eyecatchingcolour ways.All Ronin jewellery is handmade in their studio. The beads are sourced from allover the world and the company brings out three new ranges a year.+44 (0)126 826 000www.ronindesigns.co.uk44 giftfocus

etailer interviewa stone’s throw from homeAgainst the backdrop of a tough economic climate, home accessories company Pins and Ribbons hasgrown from a kitchen table industry to an award-winning business. Owner and mum-of-two KerrieMurray charts the journey so far and talks about her latest venture – opening her first bricks andmortar shopWhat is yourcareerbackground?I was a policesergeant for 14years before Iset up Pins andRibbons. I havealways lovedsewing and making things and a bad caraccident gave me time to re-think what Iwanted out of life. So what started off as thechallenge of creating the perfect home for myfamily, saw my soft furnishings hobby turn intoa viable business.How has the business evolved and whatmade you decide to open your own shop?Friends would ask me to make things forthem and I soon began to realise that therewas a market for ‘handmade in the UK’home accessories. Although the business wasoriginally run from home and based aroundthe kitchen table, as things began to really takeoff we moved to a separate manufacturingunit, which remains the base for producing ourrange of home accessories.We launched the website in November2006 and it took off instantly. Our first officialproduct was a French style memo board –hence the business name Pins and Ribbons.From there we introduced the range to tradecustomers in July 2007 and we now supplyhundreds of retail outlets throughout the UK.Riding on the back of our internet success,we recently opened a standalone retail shopin Eaglescliffe, near Yarm, in the North Eastof England. The idea grew from the positivefeedback we received at trade shows.What were the premises before and how didyou pick the location?It was a betting shop and then a computershop, I believe that there was even a bakeryhere many years ago.The premises are a stone’s throw from myhome and it seemed too good an opportunityto miss. I think the new shop really suits thelocation too. It’s in the conservation area ofVictorian Eaglescliffe, close to a beautiful publicpark and among a row of other niche shops.How have you marketed the venture, did youhave a grand opening or special promotion?We were lucky that there was a lot of interestfrom local people when we were preparingthe shop for opening. News spread quicklyand our marketing campaign to date has beenword of mouth. We are just about to embarkon a more structured campaign though.Our official launch night took place on21 st September this year and involvedinvited guests, including family and friends.Everyone helped us to celebrate over a glassof champagne and it was great to be amongpeople who have supported us from the start.We also held a charity cake and coffeemorning on our first Saturday of trading. Ourlocal post lady helped us to promote theevent by delivering flyers to every householdin the neighbourhood. In total, we raisednearly £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support.We also donated a percentage of our shopsales on the day to the charity.How much of your product offering is fromyour own stock and how much have yousourced elsewhere?Around 95% of everything we stock in theshop is from our own Pins and Ribbons range.We manufacture everything locally - includingcushions, scented hearts, draught excluders,memo boards, footstools, headboards, fabricdoorstops, aprons and bunting - so we canoffer a truly bespoke service to our customers.We also offer a full interior design, upholstery,curtain and blind making service.giftfocus 47

a stone’s throw from homeWhat criteria do you have for buying inproducts for the shop?As well as our own products, we offer a smallhandpicked selection of other ‘handmade inthe UK’ items. We are so lucky to have met somany talented makers over the years of doingtrade shows, that the shop is a real celebrationof all things British.How do you manage juggling the differentroles?I am lucky to have a team of people who areflexible in their approach to work and lovebeing busy. Together we keep the differentelements running smoothly. In particular,the shop allows us to test products, speakto customers face-to-face and get valuablefeedback on what they want to see on offer.We can then in turn introduce these newideas to our website and our trade customers.Do you aim to buy locally and support localmanufacturers?We always try to support the local economy.We have a company ethos of using localservices as much as possible. For example,the wheat we use to partly fill our doorstopscomes from a local farmer and distributor. Wealso work with a local courier service and ourcardboard boxes are manufactured only a fewmiles away. Plus all of our employees are local.What is the main design ethos behind thepresentation of the shop?Our shop is a celebration of British madegoods. We have also embraced a really richshade of purple as our corporate colour. Thatmeans our shop is full of gorgeous things andeverything from our décor through to the Pinsand Ribbons van, stationery and website, allfeature touches of purple. I have even investedin some new clothes – all in purple of course!What sort of customer base do you hope toattract?We appeal to everyone who loves beautiful,well-made things for the home. Our onlinecustomers come from all over the world. Theshop attracts mainly people from the localarea, although because we offer such a widerange of services, people are already travellingto us from further afield.How is the shop laid out and how importantis visual merchandising?Our large Victorian shop window plays a reallyimportant part in our visual merchandising.In particular, it lends itself to nice big pieces.People are quite often seen with their nosespressed up against the glass taking everythingin, which is great. We also have a huge wickerbasket brimming with our draught excluders inthe window, which seems to catch everyone’seye. Once inside, everything we display is verytactile and we like to encourage people topick things up and feel them.How important is customer service?Customer service is one of the mostimportant things to me. I’m also lucky tohave a great team of customer focusedstaff so being attentive comes naturallyto them too. Fantastic customer servicebrings repeat business and word of mouthrecommendations. We therefore set out togo the extra mile and give our customers afantastic buying experience. We add valueby providing a gift wrapping service, offeringfull interior consultations and making cups oftea and coffee for customers. After all if ourcustomers are happy, we’re happy too!What are your key Christmas lines?Our key Christmas lines are bunting, Santasacks, lavender hanging hearts and memoboards for displaying Christmas cards. Ouraim is to introduce perfect Christmas homeaccessories which stand the test of time andcreate a lifetime of festive memories.How will you be setting out the shop for thefestive period, and will there be any specialseasonal attractions?We will be offering mulled wine andrunning some courses in the shop to showpeople how they can make their own festivehearts, for example. We are planning a classyChristmas window display, complete with aChristmas tree and all our festive wares. Therewill even be a footstool for Santa to take alittle rest on.What are your plans for the future?My plans for Pins and Ribbons are quite simple:to continue making everything in-house,to continue meeting local demand and tocontinue doing it exceptionally well. I also wantto enjoy running the shop and the business asa whole. I still wake up every day excited andloving what it all stands for. Who knows, whenthe opportunity presents itself, I might evenlook at opening another shop – either way, Iwill continue to follow my dreams and it’s a farcry from my days on the beat!For further information visit the websitewww.pinsandribbons.co.uk. g48 giftfocus

21st Century Silver are delightedwith the response to the 40 designsrecently added to their range.If you are looking for fast selling,unusual sterling silver jewellery thatis perfect for both jewellery specialistsand gift retailers then the fullrange of over 500 designs can beseen at Giving & Living Show,Exeter, January 16th -19th2011, Stand B514 and also atScotlands Trade Fair Spring,SECC Glasgow, January23rd - 25th, Stand F110.Tel/Fax: 020 8339 3731info@21stcenturysilver.co.ukwww.21stcenturysilver.co.uk21st Century Silver,PO Box 328, Esher,Surrey, KT10 8YRIf you can’t make it to the showthen please contact us forbrochures or better still make anappointment for one of ourprofessional sales agents to showyou our full range of samples.

marketingcommunication is keyWhether you’re a global brand or a small business the challenge in marketingis still the same, so how do you ensure you’re communicating successfully?In this series of articles, Clive Harper, managing director of Yankee CandleEurope previously covered the basics of marketing, here he explains theessence of every marketing strategy - effective communicationWe communicate every day, whether bytalking, email, text or the internet. However,effective communication is a skill andone that is often misunderstood. Generalcommunication may not necessarily beeffective and being able to differentiatebetween the two may be the differencebetween increasing sales and an empty shop.A mistake often made by businesses inmarketing to their consumers is that they onlycommunicate to them: telling their customerswhat they want and at what price. The firsttechnique to learn is that communicationshould be a dialogue. When you first begin youshould be listening to them, giving them everyopportunity to tell you what it is they wantand expect.Consider this question: have you givenyour customers any opportunity to give youfeedback or advice?There are many opportunities for you to“A mistake often made by businessesin marketing to their consumers is thatthey only communicate to them: tellingtheir customers what they want and atwhat price.”ask your customers what they think aboutyour shop, products and services throughdirect conversation at the point of purchase;on fliers in each bag and placed at the till pointor a feedback form on your website. All thesepossibilities will give you direct feedback onhow to improve your offering, ensuring yourcustomers are receiving the products andservices they want, when they want them.The information you gather from thisresearch can also help you to decide the bestplatform for any promotional and advertisingactivities. You can ask your customers whichmagazines or newspapers they read, whichwebsites they like and whether they havesocial networking profiles.When it comes to communication, youneed to remember the importance of wordof-mouth.Although you are unable to knowwhat is being said in direct conversation youare able to view what is being said about youon the internet in chat forums, blogs and onsocial networking websites.“When it comes to communication,you need to remember theimportance of word-of-mouth.”Search the internet to discover what yourcustomers are saying to each other aboutyou and if you discover a complaint or badcomment, it is perfectly acceptable to replywith an apology and offer to correct the issue.The internet is called the World Wide Webfor a reason, so remember that anything youor an unhappy customer types can be seen byanyone, anywhere.Once you have truly mastered listeningto your customers, you can adapt yourmarketing strategy, product offering, pricepoints and service to provide an ultimateshopping experience. Gathering feedback andinformation from your customers should bean on-going technique and the rise of socialnetworking websites has enabled it to becomean everyday part of business.Social networking provides you with abrilliant communication tool with an enormousnumber of potential customers alreadysigned up and waiting. The sites allow you totalk directly to customers and build brandpersonality. You can provide customers withinformation on new stock or seasonal sales,ask them questions about a new brand you’reconsidering stocking and also run competitions.Similarly, now you have the correctinformation to give your target consumer theirideal shop, you can begin your communicationwith them with confidence. You can nowplace promotions and adverts in the mediayou know your target consumer will see, youcan create a brochure designed to fit their“Once you have truly masteredlistening to your customers, youcan adapt your marketing strategy,product offering, price points andservice to provide an ultimateshopping experience. ”demographic, filled with products you knowthey will love and you can write a blog ornewsletter with a personality which will reapthe maximum response.All in all, communication is one of the mostpowerful tools we have not just in businessbut also in life. Getting it right can prompt aninstant response, especially in a world of instantmessaging via mobile phones and the internet,and can take you onto a whole new level ofcustomer service. gFurther informationFor further information on Yankee Candle ®and advice about marketing telephone+44 (0)1454 454 500 or visit the websitewww.yankeecandle.co.uk.giftfocus 51

Marvell's christmas the ga & giftfirst and foremostChristmas & Gift Harrogate kicks off the trade show calendarwith a festive feast of forthcoming trends and must-have buys.We preview what's to come at the January 2011 editionIn briefshow Christmas & Giftwhen 9 th -12 th January 2011where Harrogate InternationalCentrewebsite www.harrogatefair.comChristmas & Gift Harrogate is once againpoised to deliver a high class range ofexhibitors to kick start the buying year.The show offers buying opportunities in abusinesslike and relaxed environment for thethousands of retailers expected to attend. It isthe very first European event of its kind on thetrade show calendar, and is a leading showcasefor all things festive. Well known names likeChristmas Concepts, Elgate Products, Fairfull,Marvell's, Artscape, Festive Productions, GisellaGraham, Heaven Sends, Konstmide (UK),National Tree Company Premier Decorations,Salco and Weiste will be exhibiting. Theproduct range covers everything from artificialtrees, indoor and outdoor lights, decorationsand tinsel to gifts, floral, partyware, toys,stationery, Halloween lines and fireworks.Building on the success of a 61-year heritagein Harrogate, the new team responsible forthe show believes that visitors to the 2011edition will notice a real difference. Showdirector Robert Anslow said: "We will give theshow a fresher, friendlier and more personalapproach for both exhibitors and visitors alike.We will help them to focus on the four-day fairplatform and assist buyers in search of the bestChristmas and giftware experience. The keytiming of our event will ensure that the clockstarts ticking from the very start of the yearand provide everyone with the best possiblechance to deliver on their yearly targets."Christmas & Gift Harrogate will once againbe hosting the Greatest Christmas Awardswhich will run alongside the show. The awardsrecognise garden centres for innovation,professionalism and marketing awareness. Theywill take place on the Sunday evening of theshow at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.Marvell's reports that this year has been oneof its busiest yet with no signs of businessslowing down in 2011. It all begins at Christmas& Gift Harrogate where the 2011 Marvell'scatalogue will kick off the new trade year.For further information call+44 (0)1939 210 800 or visit the websitewww.marvells.com.Artscape Publishing will be launching over 40brand new Santa Balls® designs for Christmas2011. Seen as ‘the antidote to Christmas’, SantaBalls® is a yuletide favourite with consumerswho have a tongue-in-cheek ‘bah humbug’attitude to the season.“Our bauble spinners and new Christmastree display units have really helped maximisesales for our retailers for Christmas 2010”,commented managing director Peter Norton.“Plus our brand new line, Santa Balls® aprons,exceeded all expectations, so watch this spacefor more new developments.” Matching new Christmas cards, gift wrapand accessories are available to complete therange. Telephone +44 (0)208 681 8368 orvisit the website www.santaballs.co.uk to findout more. ggiftfocus 53

Win! Picture courtesy of Tim Hardy Photography, Harrogate VIP trip to Christmas & GiftChristmas & Gift Harrogate is the UK’s only dedicated event forChristmas and celebration products.Taking place at the Harrogate International Centre from January 9 thto 12 th 2011 in the beautiful, historic spa town of Harrogate, it’s the fi rstevent for the industry in the whole of Europe and a perfect way to helpgive your business a leading edge in the New Year.Gift Focus courtesy of the organisers (HITF Limited) is offeringretailers an opportunity to win a VIP visit to this fabulous business event.As well as many of the leading companies such as PremierDecorations, Gisella Graham, FDL, Fairfull Limited , Salco and Widmannsoffering a fantastic range of latest lines, there will be a host of newcompanies all with something fresh and different to unveil.With a new management team in place visitors will also witnessa number of improvements aimed at enhancing the experience.Christmas and Gift will also host the prestigious Greatest ChristmasAwards. It is the perfect way to kick-start your business in 2011 bycombining business and pleasure.To fi nd out more visit the website www.harrogatefair.com. gThe prize includes:Two nights' bed and breakfast at one of the leading hotelsin HarrogateDinner for two for two nights*A bottle of champagneAn exhibition showguide* Up to the value of £60 per nightFor your chance to win this fantastic prize simply answer thefollowing question:Name one of the companies exhibiting at Christmas & GiftHarrogate 2011Enter online at www.giftfocus.com before the closing date onDecember 20 th 2010. Terms and conditions apply.54 giftfocus

FrancesCollectablesSpecialising in Betty Boop, Disney Range, The Muppets, WinnieThe Pooh, Warner Bros, Whimsical Figures, Mr. Bean and handbags.Frances Collectables LtdNEC Spring Fair Hall 7 Stand E17T: 01702 544546 F: 05600 498490E: francesgiftware@btconnect.comwww.frances-giftware.comMagees Nurseries, Windsor Gardens,Hawkwell, Essex SS5 4LH

collectablesthe next big thingTo cash in on the collecting bug suppliers are constantlyon the look out for the next big thing. We showcase someenduring lines as well as the latest must-havesXystosWhat makes a collectable? With changingtastes and fashion, the sector has had to evolveto meet the demands of today’s consumer.Nowadays the term can cover a wholehost of products from the latest playgroundcraze and licensed ranges to memorabilia andnostalgic ranges. The heyday of the traditionalcollectable may have waned but there is still amarket for contemporary ranges.According to Xystos general manager TomSykes, the success of its African Plains range hasshown that new collectables can break throughfrom many areas within the gift market.“The repeat business on this line has beenWiddop Binghamfantastic,” says Tom. “It’s not only the best sellerin our Gifts for Everyone stream, but is provinga collectable in its own right with retailerstelling us that their customers are buildingmini-zoos!”The enduring collectable in the Xystosportfolio is PenDelfi n, heading for a sixtiethanniversary milestone. Three new charactershave been added to the Village series. Joiningthe community are Evan the vicar; Bette thebarmaid and Lewis the boxer.Tom says that collectables remain a corepart of the Xystos offering and it certainlydoesn’t stint where investment is concerned asit strives to keep its products on-trend.New introductions have also been added tothe company’s popular Piggin’, Lost Dog andMyth and Magic ranges.For further information telephone+44 (0)191 499 1570 or visit the websitewww.xystostrade.co.uk.Leading gift supplier Widdop Bingham says:“What constitutes a collectable is constantlybeing redefi ned and broadened. The narrowdefi nition of a collectable as a fi gurine ofsome kind is largely out of date forcingcollectable suppliers to work harder thanever in producing interesting and innovativealternatives. Collectors are a discerning bunch,demanding a better quality of collectable aswell as something new and different.”Old Tupton Ware, a range with a wholevariety of different collectable pieces hasproved to be a success story at WiddopBingham. Vases, fi gurines, honey pots, animalsand clocks all feature in the collection. Allthe designs are from UK designers includingthe company’s in house design team andeach piece is hand made resulting in no twopieces being the same. New out is the strikingPoinsettia range.For a traditional collectable range to dowell, the company says it must be beautifullydesigned, signifi cantly different and representgood value for money. Widdop’s exclusiverange of Blenheim Ladies ticks all the boxes.The company reports that its modern andcontemporary styled fi gurines have also seenan increase in popularity, more as a homedecor item than something to put in a displaycabinet. Lamps have been added to the rangeco-ordinating with the popular fi gurines. Forfurther information call +44 (0)1616 881 200or visit the website www.widdop.co.uk.Joe Davies reports that traditional collectablescontinue to have a tough time. Generalmanager Paul Hooker commented: “We havefound that it is far more effective to stimulatethe market by bringing in plenty of newranges, some of which follow a theme andare collected by customers to suit their decor.Our Charleston themed fi gurines are just suchan example; customers reported they werebeing collected and as a result we increasedthe number of pieces, designs and colourwaysin the range.” For further details contact JoeDavies on +44 (0)1619 756 300 or visit thewebsite www.joedavies.co.uk.Joe Daviesgiftfocusgiftfocus5757

the next big thingEnescoPuckatorIn line with the ongoing trend for all thingsvintage and retro, Puckator’s collectable tintoys have been proving a big seller over thelast three years. Each tin toy comes completewith wind up mechanism and vintagepackaging. Many new lines will be added for2011, including the world famous Zeppelinairship. To view more visit the websitewww.puckator.co.uk.The new vintage Paddington Bear fromRainbow Designs is a collectable classic.The limited edition 26cm Paddington Bear hasa traditional look and quality feel.Vintage Paddington Bear is packaged in aspecial presentation box complete with PeggyFortnum illustrations from the original MichaelBond books.Paddington bear collectors can also lookforward to a number of exciting new arrivals inearly 2011 to Rainbow’s Classic giftplush range.For further information telephone+44 (0)8707 587 700 or visit the websitewww.rainbowdesigns.co.uk.Rainbow DesignsJ J VaillantJ J Vaillant’s 2011 Betty Boop point of salebrochure has just been released featuring12 pages with over 90 collectable fi gurines.A useful tool for promoting Betty Boop tocustomers, the company says it is proven towin additional sales. Retailers receive one freewith each fi gure purchased plus a themedcarrier bag. Pictured is the new Betty RollerSkate Waitress available in 12 inch and 16inch versions. Visit www.jjvaillant.co.uk ortelephone +44 (0)1213 800 720 for details.Magnifi cent Meerkats is a fun collectable seriesfrom Country Artists, which takes a lightheartedlook at illustrious heroes throughthe ages. Great champions of naval, air forceand army campaigns are represented in theinitial launch. To fi nd out more telephone+44 (0)1228 404 022 or visit the websitewww.enesco.co.uk.Character Options has recently released theDoctor Who Eleven Doctors collector’s setcomplete in signature Tardis presentation box.The set includes all 11 incarnations of thefamous Timelord as fully articulated fi ve inchcollectable fi gures.Call +44 (0)1616 339 808 or visit thewebsite www.character-online.co.uk forfurther details. gCharacter Options58 giftfocus

giving & livingmaking adifferenceSomerset based trade exhibition organisers Hale Events areconcentrating on ‘making a difference’ for visitors to the nextGiving & Living show as it prepares for its second appearanceat Westpoint Exhibition Centre near ExeterIn briefshowwhenwherewebsiteGiving & Living16 th -19 th January2011Westpoint ExhibitionCentre, near Exeterwww.givingliving.co.ukHot on the heels of its inaugural success atthe start of this year, the Giving & Living tradeshow will be making its second appearance inJanuary 2011.One of the leading home and gift eventsin the trade buyer’s calendar, Giving & Livingshowcases over 500 of the UK’s top importers,wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers.Visitors can expect to see an inspiring andinnovative selection of ideas and productsaimed at the gift, home, coast and tourismmarket. Giving & Living will also offer an arrayof special features, including the Designed andMade in Britain sector and the Naturally trail ofproducts with lower environmental impact.Timed early enough for critical dates inthe buying calendar such as Valentine’s Day,Mother’s Day and Easter, the show alsoprovides an opportunity to preview and planlatest ranges for the summer trade.Based once more at the Westpoint Arena,one of the South West’s leading exhibitionvenues, Hale Events has built on the successof last year’s show and, following valuablevisitor feedback, has introduced a numberof improvements that project manager MikeAnderson is sure will enhance the whole buyerand exhibitor experience.“We always strive to bring something a littleextra to our exhibitions. After our inauguralevent this year, we received some really usefulfeedback. The understanding shown to theissues faced by any company in a new venuewas particularly appreciated. As a result wehave introduced a number of new elements toimprove on next year’s show, which we believewill make a real difference to our customers.”As well as working with the caterers tomarkedly improve the service offered, Halehas continued to work with the venue toupgrade facilities and has created a dedicatedentrance atrium containing a coffee point,manned cloakroom and unifi ed registrationarea, in order to ease the buyer’s entry to theshow. This, combined with a fi xed link betweenthe two halls, is designed to help buyers makethe best use of their time at the show andhopefully enable them to look forward to aneven greater return on the time they haveinvested in attending.Both innovative and fast-selling productranges can be found featuring a host of majorbrands and talent available in the UK.With a wide selection of exhibitors, Giving& Living 2011 looks set to both inspire andreward the anticipated 6,000 show visitors.For the latest news and information or forfree trade buyer registration, visit the websitewww.givingliving.co.uk or telephone+44 (0)1934 733 433. ggiftfocus 61

making a differenceElgate ProductsStand A504/419Tel: +44 (0)1843 609 200Web: www.elgate.co.uk21 st Century SilverStand B514Tel: +44 (0)208 339 3731Web: www.21stcenturysilver.co.ukTony Greene of contemporary silverspecialist 21 st Century Silver says that heis delighted with the customer responseto their latest additions. In total 40new designs including the curvy heartset (pictured) have been added to thecompany’s range of over 500 unusual andexciting pieces.Elgate Products, as a result of sustained growth, islaunching over 600 exciting new and exclusive,branded gifts for spring 2011. The focus of the collectionsis souvenirs, home & garden and coastal, with theintroduction of a ‘Gifts for Women’ collection. The London2012 Olympic official soft toy mascots and additionalmerchandise, for which Elgate has distribution for all tourist,gift and garden outlets in the UK, will be showcased.The Milford CollectionStand B550Tel: +44 (0)1686 629 919Web: www.milfordcollection.comThe Milford Collection will be showcasing itsever increasing range of quality handmade glassgifts including a wide selection of stunning newnightlight holders.Joe DaviesStand A741/A752Tel: +44 (0)161 975 6300Web: www.joedavies.co.ukJoe Davies will be launching over 2,000 new items on itsspacious Exeter stand.Bright colours are performing well for the companyin all product groups, with reds and purple in particularhaving the edge in many areas. The new Hades rangeof ceramics has performed well in the company’shousewares gift collection. The Franklin Covey range of pens has also proved to be a big success,all supplied with a lifetime guarantee supported by Cross. For the show the company will belaunching some exciting new designs, roller balls and gift sets. Joe Davies will continue to supportthe retail offer with counter top display units and point of sale.FizbagStand B615Tel: +44 (0)1534 481 927Web: www.fizbag.comFizbag reusable bags are a stylish and ecoawarealternative to plastic bags. A Fizbag isdesigned to be kind to the environment andkind to people - convenient, long lasting,tough, strong and eye-catching.Instant Gifts InternationalStand A621Tel: +44 (0)1580 765 040Web: www.instant-gifts.co.ukEstablished in 1972, Instant Gifts International is oneof the leading designers and distributors of giftwarein the UK, specialising in licensed and personalisedmerchandise. They have over 40 racked programmesranging from the best selling Bubblegum milk chocolate,to Betty Boop personalised pens, and a massiveWeenicons range.62 giftfocus

news round upAll the latest from The Giftware AssociationSuppliers reap Gift of the Year rewardsGift of the Year 2010 winning companiesreported brisk business at this year's AutumnFair International.A number of this year's winners said thatsuccess in The Giftware Association’s annualawards had helped attract retailers to theirexhibition stands.Double trophy winners Disaster Designs,who won both the branded/charactercategory with their Moomins collection andthe fashion jewellery and accessories class fortheir Hello Sailor collection, enjoyed recordsales at the show.Supply coordinator, Julia Thom, said:“Retailers have come straight onto the standto see the winning products and after orderinghave looked around and found more to buy.”Disaster DesignsIsabel Martinson and Michael SweeneyATP GiftsBrett Granger, managing director of ATP Giftscommented: “The publicity in the trade mediaafter winning the outdoor living category withour Birds Away kit has really had an impact onus. And being able to use the banner of Giftof the Year drew attention to us on the stand,which enabled us to talk to potential buyers.“Gift of the Year has credibility and it hasencouraged us to think about what we willenter next year.”Dynamic duo set to raise £10,000 for Helpfor HeroesThe GA’s chief executive Isabel Martinson andchairman Michael Sweeney are set to raiseover £10,000 for the Help for Heroes charityafter successfully completing a 350-mile cycleride through Belgium and Holland.Much of the money has been donated bypeople in the home and gift industry.The 180 people who took part were mostlyfrom the Armed Forces and included disabledriders from both the UK and USA. Theywere joined by civilians, some with militaryconnections and others wanting to supportthe troops who have suffered physically andmentally as a result of recent conflicts.Isabel, a former Royal Navy officer, rode inmemory of her brother Christian who died inthe Bali bombings eight years ago.She said: “Cycling with those who have lostlimbs in recent conflicts was truly inspirational.”“It was one of the most moving andmomentous things I have ever taken part in,”added Michael.Anyone still wishing to donate to thecause can do so at www.justgiving.com/isabel-martinson and www.justgiving.com/chairmanmichael.New faces at The GAMarketing and management graduate SarahLarge has become The GA’s membershipmanager. She succeeds Heather Truepennywho has left the association to pursue hercareer elsewhere.Sarah – who has worked for Sainsbury’s,Debenhams and Dune – will be assisted byLaura Mallaber, recently appointed as salesand services coordinator. Laura has a degreein English and communication studies andwas previously employed by Lloyds TSB in itscustomer relations department.Sarah LargeLaura MallaberNew role for IsabelThe Trade Association Forum (TAF), whichrepresents trade associations, has electedIsabel Martinson, The GA’s chief executive, toits 18-strong steering committee.TAF members are divided into bands –depending upon the number of people theyemploy and the size of the businesses theyrepresent – and Isabel’s role will be to speakup for the ‘low’ band associations, particularlythose representing small businesses. gFurther informationFor the GA log onto www.ga-uk.org64 giftfocus

going legalLet’s go legal – what does it actually mean? Dids Macdonald, CEO of theorganisation Anti Copying in Design (ACID) looks at steps that can betaken before a dispute hits courtA Letter Before Action (LBA) or Cease and DesistWhat are they?A Letter Before Action (LBA), sometimes known as a Cease andDesist, is quite simply a letter drafted by a qualified solicitor informinga prospective defendant that unless they settle, you intend to start legalaction. In the case of intellectual property (IP) rights infringement anLBA usually sets out why you believe your rights have been infringedtogether with evidence of your rights ownership.How effective are they?Out of ACID’s 400 plus settlements by its accredited lawyers on behalfof members, only four have reached a final court hearing and of those,many have settled satisfactorily following an effective LBA and/or a shortseries of legal correspondence. To the recipient it can be perceived as anofficial shot across the bows or last chance before more serious lettersfollow, which may lead to the claim being heard in court.Why does the cost sometimes vary and seem high?Generally, the rationale for a Letter Before Action varying in cost isthat, basically, some are simple and straight forward and some are muchmore complicated. In ACID’s experience of many legal actions, the moreeffective an LBA is, the better the chances are for the least amount ofprotracted legal response.Another good reason for an effective LBA (which takes time toprepare) is that there should be little scope for a lawyer on the otherside to challenge any points of ownership. There are also many othervariables which affect the time spent i.e. gathering comprehensiveinformation (and evidence of rights ownership) in order to prepare aneffective LBA. This can be easy or complicated, often depending on theefficiency of the ACID member in giving him/her all the relevant factsand evidence of design ownership and clarity of title.As we know too, IP law is not straight forward and it may benecessary to look through case studies and precedents to clarify thelegal position. It may also be necessary to seek a second legal opinion.Why? Because compared to other rights, there is little case historyunder unregistered and registered design right. This all takes time.The amount of time taken to prepare an LBA can also vary if,for example, a lawyer has to follow up an ACID member for moreinformation which is not forthcoming. Most lawyers charge in sixminute slots so it is important to ensure that your lawyer has all therelevant facts so that he/she can form a legal opinion. Typically, it is notunreasonable for a lawyer to spend anything from two to six hours onan LBA depending on the complexity of the issue. Another variablemay be the time it takes establishing clarity of rights’ ownership – say ina licence arrangement or collaborative design etc.WatchpointsIf you discover a copy always be prepared and save expensive legal timeby having all the following in place ( the ACID infringement purchaseinformation sheet is a fast track checklist to ensure that you havecollected all the relevant information together):Archived drawings and documents ready to prove the history of1 your designs.If you are at an exhibition always ensure that you have evidence2 of your design ownership with you or have easy access to thisevidence.66 giftfocus

As seen inVOGUEThe Pendant Scarf, 8 fabulous colours, 100s of different pendantsA complete set of legal documents, including contracts of employment3 with designers, written agreements with freelance designers, suppliers,manufacturers and customers, confirming that you own all the rights inyour designs.If your designs or trade marks are registered at the UK Intellectual4 Property Office or at OHIM (The Office for Harmonisation in theInternal Market), retain and archive all these valuable certificates.www.poltsa.co.uk Tel / Fax: 020 8395 6152Joanna Potbury from ACID accredited law firm DMH Stallard stresses theimportance of getting the letter of claim spot on in terms of setting outthe claim accurately; not leaving any gaps, and also setting the right tone.“A good letter of claim can set the scene for much of the pre-actionstage and can put you in control of the debate from the off. If there areany weaknesses or gaps, they will be exploited by the opponent, whichinevitably gives the potential defendant a psychological boost, it is ourjob as effective lawyers to get this right.”Many designers do not realise that intellectual property law is basedon property law. When buying a house, most people will spend severalhundred pounds on employing a solicitor to check that the house is freefrom any unforeseen nightmares such as the seller not actually being theoriginal owner of the property; a sitting tenant; public footpath runningthrough the garden; or the land has been designated for nuclear waste. Itis the same in IP law, so:If there are any documents, which are required to prove the ownershipof your designs, these will need to be drafted and signed before an actioncan commence. This is when it can be costly, however, never forget that itis never wasted money, it will cover you for the future.When lawyers ask you to prove your case you are being asked to doso to the court and the other side – it is your lawyer’s job to make surethat the rights are in place at the start so that the strength of your case isnot damaged. gFurther informationVisit the ACID website www.acid.uk.comgiftfocus 67

tendence on trackThis autumn’s edition of theleading German trade showTendence showed a healthyupturn in visitor numbersputting the event firmly backon track. Sarah Reeve reportsRoad to recoveryThe halls were busy, the showgroundwas buzzing and the feel good factor hadreturned once more.As the curtain went up on this year’sTendence there was mounting optimismthat after the recent troubled timesTendence was well on the road to recovery.With the German economy on the upand a more positive economic outlook themood before the show was upbeat.Organisers were not disappointed as theturnstiles continued to turn over the fivedays of the fair. Exhibitors reported healthytraffic and increased orders.Back to its original time slot at theend of August, Tendence 2011attracted asignificant increase in visitors – up eight percent over last year. In total almost 57,000visitors from 90 countries converged onthe exhibition centre in Frankfurt to catchup on all the latest products for the home,giving and living.“Tendence is well on the way to making afull recovery. By shifting the fair back to itstraditional time slot at the end of August,we have taken an important step towardsstabilising the Frankfurt Autumn Fair,” saidDetlef Braun, member of Messe Frankfurtboard of management.International appealTendence is an international consumergoods event and influential design platform,drawing visitors from all over the world.This year the number of visitors fromthe USA doubled and the top five visitingnations were Switzerland, Italy, TheNetherlands, Austria and France. In total aquarter of all this year's visitors came fromoutside Germany.The show’s return to its traditionaltimeslot was generally well received.Stephan Koziol, general manager of koziolreported: “For us, moving the fair back tolate August proved to be an extremelypositive move. We hope that schedulingTendence at the same time every year, willstabilise the event still further.”The company presented its new wintercollection of design-led kitchenware,decorative and lifestyle products in newcolours – aubergine, fuchsia and crimson.(www.koziol.de)Trend spottingCovering 71,000 square metres ofexhibition space in ten halls, 2,130exhibitors presented the latest products forthe seasons ahead.A major sourcing ground for latest trendsthe show offers a window to definingthemes for the coming seasons.Functionality, personality and authenticitykoziolwere the buzzwords across many sectors,including furniture, home accessories, giftideas and presents.Products with a genuine back story, newlines interpreting old forms in a fresh andcontemporary way, handmade elementsmixed with modern, industrial materials,contrasting the traditional with the new,were all key elements recurring throughoutthe show.Innovative designs combining funwith function were another theme fromdual purpose items to fun chair socksfor protecting the floor while addingpersonality to everyday furniture.Winter materials like felt and wool68 giftfocus

tendenceappeared in a wide range of product lines,including flower vases with knitted covers,to create a seasonal cosy feel.Products featured innovative mixes ofmaterials – wool and felt contrasting withprecious metals, synthetic with naturalfabrics, reclaimed and recycled materialsreworked in new and contemporarydesigns. Sustainability remained high on thelist of considerations for many designerspresenting eco-friendly lines.Trend forecasters predict dark green asone of the top contenders for the title ofnew trend colour. At the show summerbrights gave way to more muted andwarmer tones, earthy hues and variationson dark green. Next spring a paler greenoften combined with fresh orange ispredicted as an emerging trend.After the doom and gloom of the recentfinancial crisis there was also a good doseof fun in the mix,with brightly colourednovelty gifts, fun children's products andquirky designs.HighlightsNew and exciting design shone out underthe spotlight of designated Talents areawhere young designers and universitygraduates presented their debut designsand prototypes. The up and comingstars showed off their avant-gardeliving concepts, design products andcontemporary jewellery designs.Cordula Kehrer from Karlsruhe wonan award for her plastic Bow Bins. Therecycled plastic bins are transformed usingwoven natural materials like bamboo, rattan,grasses and raffia.(www.cordulakehrer.de)Berlin design duo Chris & Ruby also wonan award for their Transfer chopping board,which allows ingredients to be easilytransferred from board to plate.(www.chris-ruby.de)Exhibitors taking part in the Nextpromotional programme also made animpression with their creative designs inthree specially designated areas.Cordula KehrerNext gives start up businesses a helpinghand to gain a foothold in the market.Overall the new structure of the showshortened walking distances, making iteasier to shop, the number of visitors wasup, buyers were reported to be morerelaxed and in ordering mood and theatmosphere was positive.Organisers are now looking to build onthe success for the next edition which takesplace from 26 th to 30 th August 2011. Visitthe www.tendence.messefrankfurt.com tofind out more. ggiftfocus 69

step into springtop drawerProduct-hungry retailers looking to get ahead in 2011 willbe beating a path to the next edition of design-led show TopDrawer. The January 2011 edition promises to reveal a host ofhot, new products to replenish shelves and help kick-start theyear. Read on for a glimpse of what’s to comeIn briefshowTop Drawerwhen 16 th -18 th January 2011whereEarls Court, Londonwebsite www.topdrawer.co.ukorganisers Clarion Eventsopening times Sun-Mon 9.30am-6pmTues 9.30am-5pmPictured is the new Rob Ryan rangefrom Wild and Wolf, Stand K14(www.wildandwolf.com)giftfocus 71

For January 2011, design-led show Top Draweris set to deliver a fresh burst of inspiration forthe season ahead.Organiser Clarion Events says 61% ofexhibitors are exclusive to the event and willnot be appearing at any other spring tradefair. With over 400 exclusive brands dueto be exhibiting visitors will have chance toview innovative, design-led ranges includingstationery from Cavallini Papers, bold gift andhome ideas from Michelle Mason and ecofriendlygreeting card designer Alice Palace.comeback, showcasing exciting accessories.Design Collections, brings together over 25premium and quirky jewellery brands offeringbuyers the chance to discover the companiescreating a stir in the fashion industry.Top Drawer is also pleased to announcethe expansion of Wellbeing, which will includeeven more exhibitors for spring. Look outfor an indulgent selection of French bathand home products from Lothantique andCompagnie de Provence.Retail seminars and surgeries are a staplefeature of all Top Drawer shows. The keynotespeaker for January 2011 is still to beannounced. Previous illustrious speakers haveincluded interior design guru, Kelly Hoppenand retail specialist and business partner toMary Portas, Peter Cross.Retail surgeries will also be scheduled eachday with retail specialists offering one to oneadvice and top tips to help boost business –details of which will also be announced later. gThe show is set to be the most successfuledition to date with over 500 exhibitorsalready signed up to take part, 100 of whichare new to the show. These include Bettyand Betts, Bluebird Boutique and JennieMaizels. New for January 2011, Top Drawerhas joined forces with trend forecaster andconsumer behaviour experts - Trend Bible togive the retailer essential inside informationon new season trends. There will also be afeature onsite for buyers and retailers to gaininspiration and advice on key trends to assistwith purchasing decisions for the new season.Following a successful launch in 2010, theDesign Collections will be making a welcome72 giftfocus

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• 1036 new lines for Autumn Winter 2010 available online,showroom and telephone.• Find extra edge by tapping in Jewelcity’s extensive 3000competitive offering as full range.• Register online, order anytime and get your best deal deliverednext day and risk-free*Jewelcity, Marcoms House, Abbey Barn Rd, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 1RLT: 01494 444200 F: 0870 0056921 W: www.jewelcity.co.ukVanessa LorenzStand T49Tel: +44 (0)207 289 7866Web: www.vanessalorenz.comVanessa Lorenz Ltd is continuing with its current selection of handbaghooks and bangle bag holders as well as introducing an innovativenew design of bag hanger for 2011, which will be launched at TopDrawer Spring. There will also be a new range of handbag hooks tocomplement the existing styles in order to add some extra sparkle tothe collection.The company has also extended its range of gift items to include thejewel calculator and a selection of diamante products including a boxedwine set and a boxed USB stick.Heyland &WhittleStand H26Tel:+44 (0)1293 863 606Web: www.heylandandwhittle.co.ukBased in Surrey, Heyland & Whittle prides itself on manufacturing natural,handmade soaps, reed diffusers and beautifully packaged gifts.The company is committed to ensuring all its products are sulphateand paraben-free and continues to extend and develop its luxurious,British-made range.74 giftfocus

top drawerEmily's ArkStand H39Tel: +44 (0)1913 406 694Web: www.emilys-ark.comEmily’s Ark designs, sews and sells handmade original textile animals,which are fully jointed and made from high quality materials.By combining quirky new designs with traditional processes andmaterials the company has created a range of beautifully crafted animals.Many have a retro or vintage quality and include everything fromcamels and hares to aardvarks.All the items are handmade in Northumberland- from design tocreation. A range of kits has also been introduced for customers tocreate their very own jointed mohair animal. The company also makesone-off commission pieces to customers' specifi cations.Blue Eyed SunStand A12Tel: +44 (0)1273 823 003Web: www.blueeyedsun.co.ukHandmade card specialists Blue Eyed Sun have launched a newcollection of 18 new occasions cards and numbered birthdays intheir top selling Fandango range. The designs are fl ittered and handembellished withglitter and jewelson quality GFSmith boards.The cards havean overall size of170mm square.All come cellowrappedwith acoloured envelope.Zelda WongStand DC21Tel: +44 (0)1384 259 854Web: www.zeldawong.co.ukPop Heart, the new collection by Zelda Wong, was created using thelatest CAD-CAM technology.The collection combines a traditional heart shape form with a moderncontemporary touch and is available in sterling silver or gold, includingearrings, necklace, bracelet and cuffl inks.giftfocus 75

top drawerAlice PalaceStand A5Tel: +44 (0)1386 424 977Web: www.alicepalace.co.ukAlice Palace will be launching new designs for Top Drawer includingthe distinctive new range Skylines. The collection of six cards featuresa British city, its skyline and traditions. Look out for London, Oxford,Edinburgh, Cardiff, Brighton and Blackpool. Alice Palace is an eco friendlyfamily business. The cards are printed on quality, recycled, uncoatedFSC board, individually packaged inside a clear, biodegradable bag witha white 100% recycled envelope. Like all Alice Palace cards, the newimages are designed, printed and finished in the UK.Clere VisionStand R38Tel: +44 (0)1635 297 911Web: www.clerevision.co.ukClere Vision introduced 11 new collections of fashion readers in 2010,now they’re at it again! As always, at the start of the year, there are newdesigns in on trend colours. The latest is the Samba range, available inthree exciting colourways – Jade and Amethyst (pictured) which, alongwith Amber, will be on show for the first time at Top Drawer Spring. Likethe majority of Clere Vision’s readers they come with spring hinges fordurability and comfort.Gillian KyleStand K51Tel: +44 (0)7719 830 253Web: www.gilliankyle.comGillian Kyle is launching itsbrand new range of totebags, aprons and tea towels.The new additionscome in three bold newgraphic designs and aremanufactured entirely withinthe UK, by a small, ethical,family-run business. Theprints are all developmentsof Gillian's most popularoriginal designs - a nod toBritish and Scottish culinarynostalgia. Top Drawer willalso see the launch of newgreetings cards. Printed inScotland on antique pressesand on 100% recycled card,the cards are letter-pressprinted and hot-foiled for aluxury look.AlirooStand A8Tel: +44 (0)1491 612 837Web: www.aliroo.co.ukAliroo's latest range Jungle Buddies is a bright and colourful collectionof 12 birthday cards for children, featuring a variety of cheeky jungleanimals across six age cards and six generic birthdays. Each card is150mm square and finished with sparkly flitter and supplied with abright coloured envelope and is cello wrapped.New ranges to be launched at the show include Vintage Florals, arange of age birthday cards and a cool range of age cards for boysand girls.giftfocus 77

Unreal CakesStand K53Tel: +44 (0)1293 863 744Web: www.unrealcakes.co.ukUnreal Cakes offers a range ofgifts with a difference.They look like tasty cakesbut are made from fl annelsand hand towels. Witha retail price point ofunder £10 they makeideal stocking fi llers andnovelty gifts for Christmas. A free point of sale shaped like a cake stand isavailable for an eye-catching display in store to maximise sales.Jane MeansStand A125Tel:+44 (0)1522 548 900Web: www.janemeans.co.ukA new luxurious taffetarange, suitable for usethroughout the year, hasrecently been added tothe Jane Means ribboncollection. Taffeta ribbonsare available in 15mm and25mm widths and come intwo roll sizes of 10m and25m rolls. More coloursare planned for 2011.Daisy RootsStand J12Tel: +44 (0)1604 880 066Web: www.daisyroots.comDaisy Rootsmanufacture softleather shoes forchildren, all designedand hand made inNorthamptonshire.The company onlyuses leather that hasbeen certifi ed chromeand formaldehydefree. The eye catchingdesigns are suitable forbabies, toddlers andyoung children. Newadditions include a lilac shoe with fl ower pot motif and the Mary Janescollection with ribbon detailing.PoltsaStand X17Tel: +44 ( 0)208 395 6152Web: www.poltsa.co.ukPoltsa Accessories is launching a new collection of spring/summer fabrichandbags at Top Drawer.As is characteristic with the brand, embroidery and embellishmentsplay an important part in the design of this collection of handbags andbeach bags.The company will also be showing its popular pndant scarf range,handmade in Spain by a local artist and her team of art students, whocreate unique and individual pieces for each scarf.Pins and RibbonsStand R27Tel: +44 (0)1642 786 777Web: www.pinsandribbons.co.ukAward winning homeaccessories company,Pins and Ribbons isunveiling a new rangeof wedding products,aimed at brides-to-bewho are looking foraccessories with lastingpersonal appeal.Adding weddingaccessories to its rangeof handcrafted productsfor the home, the NorthEast-based company islaunching new scentedfabric hearts, keepsakebags, bunting, weddingplanners, table seatingplanners and cushions.78 giftfocus

Pintail CandlesHaving had a successful Autumn/Winter season, Pintail candles islooking forward to the Spring and ournew range which we will be showingat Top Drawer Spring, Scotland TradeFair and Spring Fair, Birmingham.Pintail invites all new and existingcustomers to come along and see ourexciting new range.Top Drawer Spring - H30Scotland Trade Fair - K10Spring Fair, Birmingham - Hall 4, A33Tel: 015395 59007Email: info@pintailcandles.comwww.pintailcandles.com

top drawerVivid WrapStand F1Tel: +44 (0)1225 444 309Web: www.vividwrap.comDesigned in the company's Bathstudio and handmade fromrecycled cotton – Vivid Wrapwill be launching its new spring/summer 2011 collection of over350 giftwraps, bags and boxes.Inspired by the season'skey trend colours in fashion,the new collection delivers aserious hit of catwalk colour.Sumptuous designs come in mazarine blue, teaberry pink and Atlantisgreen, mixed with glitters.Look out for the new Grazia collection of swirling glitters on wrap,bags and boxes.Laura Darrington DesignStand A4Tel: +44 (0)1162 849 660Web: www.lauradarrington.co.ukLaura Darrington Design will be showing off its recent launches,which will include spring 2011 ranges, plus a new range of greetingscards for men. Customer demand has sparked the launch of therange following the success of its existing Retro Metro collection.The Nouveaux Delights occasions range will also be extendeddue to public demand. Laura is also currently working on a newecommerce site that will be launched early in 2011. This will enableboth trade and retail customers to order online, allowing a speedyway to order in the future.Hazel Atkinson JewelleryStand Y11ATel: +44 (0)1159 586 183Web: www.hazelatkinsonjewellery.co.ukNatural Selection is a new collection of anodisedaluminium jewellery direct from the studios of Hazel Atkinson Jewellery.Hazel has evolved to become a leading practitioner in the art ofdying, fixing and transforming base aluminium into fabulous designs andfantastic colour. The idea of Natural Selection is to create a whole newrange where only the strongest and boldest colours and designs survivethe selective creative process. Each uniquely hand painted piece is rootedin a floral design and explodes with vibrant colour. Names like AcidDaisy, Summer and Hot Chilli give a taste of what can be expected.The Herdy CompanyStand L2ATel: +44 (0)1539 739 202Web: www.herdy.co.ukHerdy is a loveable character born out of the cute and distinctiveHerdwick sheep. Herdy produces a contemporary range of productsdesigned to the highest quality and with integrity - products which helpsupport, through their sale, environmental and sustainability causes in theLake District.The company will be launching new products at the show includinga Herdy egg cup, 100% wool throws – super luxurious and made inEngland, a new range of funky, coloured coasters and 2 in 1 Knit Kitsusing 100% natural ‘British Sheep Breeds’ yarn from Rowan Yarns.Wild and WolfStand K14Tel: +44 (0)1225 789 909Web: www.wildandwolf.comWild and Wolf will be introducing anew range The Thoughtful Gardener- tools for those who simply lovegardening. With quality, classic styleand traditional materials, the trustycompanions include trowel and forkset, secateurs, string in a tin, enamelmug and flask.giftfocus 81

PRESENTS ITS HOME COLLECTIONTOP DRAWER - STAND P36Award-winning towels andbathrobes transmittingwarmth and luxury thatfascinate the eyes andseduce the sensesMade of 100% organicBergama cotton, handloomed by master weaversNatural colour fast dyesAn expression of luxurylifestyle, typical of peoplewho know how to treatthemselves well and how tofeel well about themselvesTel: 01753 892603 Fax: 01753 892001Email: info@ladybughome.co.ukwww.ladybughome.co.ukGoodlookersStand Q52Tel: +44 (0)1634 713 900Web: www.goodlookers.co.ukGoodlookers’ trendy new collection of reading glasses and sun-readersboasts a wealth of new styles, with bold colours, exciting new shapes andplenty of sparkle to turn heads.From the glitzy glamour of Vienna to the retro sun-reader Vegas, thereis a pair of Goodlookers to accessorise a wide range of different outfits- all with the quality, functionality and price points that are synonymouswith the Goodlookers brand.Berkeley SquareStand K2Tel:+44 (0)7710 762 522Web: www.bsquare.co.ukBerkeley Square will be showing its collection of fragrances and bath andbody products with original 1920 illustrated packaging.Berkeley Square is building on its award winning retro range with thelaunch of a new fragrance collection, which is still under wraps! and a giftset programme.Pictured is their new travel set.TakkodaStand E17Tel:+44 (0)208 740 8887Web: www.takkoda.comTakkoda will beshowcasing its quirkyrange of cards and giftsincluding latest additionslike the Blues Pets mug.Dishwasher safe andmade of porcelain it's oneof a collection of mugsand other fun productsfeaturing the company'strademark animal designs.82 giftfocus

top drawerThe Old Bag CompanyStand J45Tel: +44 (0)1548 853 444Web: www.theoldbagcompany.comThe award winning Old Bag Company beach bag is now available inUnion Jack design with matching purse also available.New designs also include the Cool Old Bag, the Business/Laptop OldBag and the Make-up Old Bag. These designs have practical pocketsinside and out, available in the company's distinctive spotty colours withmatching spotty linings.There are also soft and stylish scarves, made of 100% cotton in sixspotty colours.Vintage Playing CardsStand F13Tel: +44 (0)208 521 0993Web: www.vintageplayingcards.co.ukStylish, retro and unique - Vintage Playing Cards is a design ledcompany that makes sending cards truly fashionable.It specialises in handmade greeting cards, frames and stationerymade from original vintage games including playing cards, and 1920'sparlour games that have been individually sourced.The designs range from art deco classics to children's favourites.For spring 2011 Vintage Playing Cards introduces a range of handcraftedletter frames, which contain individual cards sourced froma 1930’s spelling game. The cards are put together to spell outgreetings including love, home, king, queen or kiss.giftfocus 83

Powell CraftStand L28Tel:+44 (0)1273 622023Web: www.powellcraft.co.ukPowell Craft isrenowned for itshandmade ranges.The company offersVictorian-inspiredproducts made usingnatural materials,cotton ladies' andchildren's nightwear,children's knitwearand accessories, fineporcelain, hand stitchedneedlepoint, scentedEnglish lavenders, handquilted patchworked,linens and lace.SnapdragonStand H22Tel: +44 (0)1360 660 903Web: www.snapdragongarden.co.ukSnapdragon will be launchinga range of greetings cardsand postcards which havebeen printed from originalembroideries. The cardsare influenced by life on asmall holding surroundedby animals, flowers and acollection of vintage vehicles.They are printed in Scotlandon 75% recycled board.open|box|designStand C16Tel: +44 (0)1224 867 669Web: www.openboxdesign.co.ukOpen|box|design is launching six eco-friendly cotton and canvas bags atTop Drawer Spring 2011. The award-winning company has chosen oneof its most popular card ranges, Close Knit to provide the inspiration forthis new venture.The bags will be available in two sizes - a large, strong and lastingshopper style and a smaller book bag. They feature heart motifs withknitted textures and meaningful words, to reflect the current interest inBritish home crafts.Open|box|design is celebrating the continuing success of its Close Knitrange, with the release of four new cards to complement the existing 16.The new cards are for anniversary, retirement, baby boy and baby girl.The Lagoon GroupStand M35Tel: +44 (0)800 252 723Web: www.thelagoongroup.comFlipside Puzzles are puzzles witha split personality.Each disc features a metallicmaze puzzle on one side, but flipthem over and there’s a wholenew puzzle on the other. Adouble challenge as well as valuefor money.Over The MoonStand B11Tel: +44 (0)1673 818 081Web: www.pipthecat.comPip, the little black cat from Over The Moon, is making his firstappearance as a Henries winner at Top Drawer.The new range of bright and striking cards won Best Cute at theglittering award ceremony in London.Bluebird Brands will also be exhibiting and showcasing its rangeof bags, umbrellas, mugs and gift sets all featuring Pip as will Shredswho will be launching a Pip range which includes lunch bags, aprons,tabards and bags.84 giftfocus

Based in Surrey, Heyland & Whittle prides itself on manufacturingnatural, hand-made soaps, reed diffusers and beautifullypackaged gifts.The company is committed to ensuring all its products aresulphate and paraben-free and continues to extend and developits luxurious, British-made range.We have a wide selection of Christmas Gifts, suitable for all! Forfurther details, please visit us at www.heylandandwhittle.co.ukor call +44 (0)1293 863606.An exciting new range ofUnreal Cakes made from washcloths and hand towels.A unique product range that stopscustomers in their tracks with itshigh impact, colourful display andunique POS.Tel: 01293 863 744 | sales@unrealcakes.co.ukwww.unrealcakes.co.uk

xmas tradingchristmas unwrappedIt’s no secret that the last quarter of the year offers retailers their best chanceto make money. Alan Monahan fi nds out from two shop owners just whatthey are doing to ensure that the festive season ends in cheers not tearsChristmas is a crucial time for independenthome and gift retailers.With the current economic climate andmajor supermarkets muscling in to capture aneven bigger share of the festive spend, it’s evenmore vital for small retailers to maximise sales.One of the best ways is to make sure theiroffering is fresh and current and their shopsare dressed to thrill this Christmas.The importance of the festive season isstressed by Kirsten Linton who, with husbandMike, runs Cornucopia in Worcester.She says: “It’s a very important time for ourbusiness as we do around 33 per cent of ourannual turnover in November and December.We start buying early and visit the showroomsof our main suppliers in January and February.That gives us the backbone of the latest trendsand colours.“In March we visit our main supplier ofChristmas decorations to choose ones that area little bit different. We tend to go for designerranges, building up good stories with colourand mix of items from trees to decs, party hatsand ribbons.”Cornucopia is blessed with a downstairssales area, which is transformed in Octoberinto a Christmas wonderland.Kirsten continues: “Our customers love ourautumn/Christmas displays and start spendingas soon as they are out. The upstairs shop alsogets a makeover during October and we startputting a bit of glitter amongst our autumnranges to get our customers in the mood.“We also put out stocking fi llers and funpick-up lines at the back of the shop, whichhouses stationery, soft toys, greeting cards,wrap, calendars and diaries, while the front isCornucopiaTom Sykes, generalmanager, Xystos:“African Plains will certainly bea star this Christmas with theMeerkats proving to be the bestsellers. Walther Glas is also verystrong, provingthat there isstill a marketfor traditionalproduct.”devoted to home fashion. Plus we usually havetwo or three stories going on in the mainshop, which means that colour changes witheach season.”Cornucopia works hard at buying wisely andvisits most of the major UK trade shows.Core suppliers include Sia, EmmaBridgewater, Culinary Concepts, Jellycat, Menu,Crabtree & Evelyn and Moulin Roty.Kirsten, who is Danish, launched their fi rstCornucopia shop in Bury with Mike’s mother42 years ago. When he joined the businessin 1983 it was sold and another openedin Shrewsbury, followed six years later byCornucopia in Stratford upon Avon.In between times they establishedCornucopia in Worcester, where today all theirretailing effort is concentrated.CornucopiaAndrew Illingworth, sales director,Widdop Bingham:“Baby’s first christmas is an important milestonein a family and our baby frame, which can bepersonalised with the baby’s name, is a realfavourite. Our Harvey Makin leatherware is alsoproving popular for the men.”giftfocus 87giftfocus 87

christmas unwrappedWe are now content with one shop, but allthose we have sold are trading successfully,”says Mike.The Lintons believe that Cornucopia shouldalways look interesting and fresh with excitingnew saleable ranges regularly introduced.As in previous recessions, they have workedeven harder during the latest downturn anddone so with panache and lots of optimism.The business is constantly examining marginsand price points and is conscious that manyof the products it now buys are costing more.“But we do not swap suppliers and look forcheaper lines,” comments Gift of the Year judgeKirsten. “We believe that quality and innovationare worth paying for. We are enthusiastic aboutthe Christmas season. Our shop is full of lovelystock and we know that our customers willlove it.”Award-winning retailer Nicky Edmunds,owner of Insideout stores in Tavistock,Dartmouth and Exeter, started her Christmasbuying in January and continued reviewingpotential festive lines throughout the year.“We had a clear idea of what we wantedand focused on broadening our ranges ofstocking fillers and ensuring we had a suitableassortment of gifts to suit our customers’differing lifestyles and budgets,” she says.Insideout stocks an eclectic mix of productsand favourite suppliers for the festive seasoninclude Luckies, Natural Products, Wild andKen Johnson, managingdirector, Enesco:“Both HeartwoodCreek and WillowTree are very strong.The fastest collectionwe have at themoment is MagnificentMeerkats: we cannotkeep them in stock!Business continues tobe challenging but forEnesco it looks like a greatend to the year.”Mike Burgess, managing director,Parlane International“Our number one seller and a new Parlane item is the 1.5metre high eucalyptus green frosted Christmas tree. Wehave extended our Crackle Globe and Crackle Mirrorhurricane lamp ranges, which are among our top sellingChristmas lines, while our Birch Bark Star Lanternszoomed into our top 10 from the minute they werelaunched and are completely sold out for this Christmas.”Wolf and Gisela Graham.Nicky continues: “We always approachour buying with real vigour and spend timeanalysing what has and hasn’t worked theprevious year. By nature I like to do things atthe last minute, so this year I aimed to startearlier. We have focused on giving each storea slightly different feel for Christmas, which wephase in over a couple of months.“I feel that many larger stores start too earlyand the smaller independents are often forcedinto following this pattern. We normally beginto introduce Christmas in October and bythe time we reach the start of December ourteam appears to run on adrenalin alone. Wedon’t have time to think. Each store normallyexperiences the equivalent of two monthstake each week for the final three weeks ofDecember, so it really does get hectic.”During the downturn the business adopteda more cautious approach to its buying, usinglittle and often techniques and finding productsit knew had a high turnover.Insideout has fared well in 2010. Net growthfor the group is 25 per cent up on the lastyear. It’s been tough and some valuable lessonshave been learnt, leading to small changesto internal operations and in buying habits.Product price and perceived value are majorconsiderations.Says Nicky: “If we are unable to maintain ahealthy margin we discontinue the product.Over the last year and a half we have noticedsome significant price increases from suppliers.Some seem very fair, but in a few cases this hasmade certain product ranges no longer viablefor us. High carriage paid thresholds can alsocause issues.Insideout“Wherever possible we have maintainedrelationships with our existing suppliers, butour approach has always been to ensure webring in a constant stream of new products.We review sales on a monthly basis and ifproducts are showing a slump we closelymonitor them. This allows us to make educateddecisions on the ranges we continue stocking.”Nicky is confident that Christmas will be afinancial success for Insideout.“The trade fairs this year have been reallystrong, with lots of fresh and inspiring newcompanies coming onto the scene and manyestablished suppliers introducing exciting newlines,” she adds. g88 giftfocus

usiness linktraining for successTraining staff properly can be integral to your success. Business Link advisor John Pickersgillexplains how to go about it, and the additional help available to youPeople are the mostimportant resource inany business. Not onlydo your employeeswork on behalf ofyour business, but theyare also the key tocreating good customerrelations and a positiveimage for your company. Training is essential tomake sure that you get the best out of youremployees. It is also an important factor inimproving staff motivation and retention andcan increase profits and improve customersatisfaction. If your employees are well-trainedand informed about the products and servicesyou offer, they are more likely to make a saleand encourage customers to return.In addition, with the right training, youremployees will be able to carry out tasks thatwould otherwise take up your time, leavingyou free to work ‘on the business’ rather than‘in the business’. If you are confident that yourstaff have the right skills to run the businesswhen you are not there, you can take holidays,time off sick,or attend trade shows withoutworrying about how your staff are coping inyour absence, so it’s a worthwhile investment.By choosing the right type of training youcan make sure that your employees have theappropriate skills for your business and arekept up to date with best and new practices.This applies to all levels in the business, sodon’t overlook your own needs. Trainingneedn’t be expensive or time consuming –with some thought and planning you can linkit to your business objectives and build it intoyour week-to-week activities.In-house training and one-to-one instructionWhen you take on a new member of staff itis important to provide an induction periodwhich includes training on all the activities thatthey will be involved in, such as using the cashregister, answering the phone, ordering stock,as well as other areas such as health and safety.From time to time you will probably also needto train existing members of staff if you havesomething new you want to explain.You can do this type of training in-house.Providing clear instruction on how to do a taskwill not only help grow the skills and expertiseof your team, it will also enable you to delegatewith confidence.Here are a few simple tips to help makeone-to-one instruction effective:• Be clear about your objective for theinstruction and tell the learner(s) what will beexpected after the session.• Prepare materials and any equipment: set itall out first, make sure you have everything tohand for the instruction and do a run throughon your own.• Breakdown the task into manageable andlogical stages as you do the run through onyour own. Identify the key points i.e. the ‘mustremember’ aspects of each stage – these willrelate to speed, quality, safety, tips to improveunderstanding.• Check existing knowledge: you may notneed to explain the whole thing from scratch.By asking what the trainee knows already youcan fill in the gaps in their understanding.• Cover one stage at a time: by demonstrating,explaining and emphasising the key points.• Check understanding: ask questions regularlyand get the trainee to show you one stage ora logical group of stages – ask them to explainwhat and why as they do it.• Ask before telling where practical, as thisgets the trainee involved, makes them thinkand helps test existing knowledge. But don’task about things when they have no way ofknowing the answer.• Let them make notes as they practise eachstage under your guidance.• Let them repeat the task from start to finish,once you are confident they understand it, byusing their own notes and their competencefrom the practice sessions. Get them toexplain what they are doing and why as theydo it, so you know that they have grasped it,and they also have notes they understand forfuture reference.• Continue until competent and the objectivehas been achieved. Follow up after the sessionto ensure that the task is being performed tothe required standard.To avoid overkill, adjust the approachdepending on the individual and the taskinvolved. You need the instruction session to bean effective use of your timeand the trainee’s,so do it once thoroughly rather than rushingthrough things and then having to repeat itlater on.External training and help with analysing yourtraining needsYou might be considering providing trainingfor your staff that you can’t deliver in-house.For example, your employees might want tostudy for a qualification such as an NVQ inretail or customer service.For larger, established businesses, aBusiness Link adviser can give advice on skillsneeds, training and workforce development.Advisers work with businesses to completean Organisational Needs Analysis (ONA)which acts as a guide to their strengths andweaknesses. They then focus on the needswithin each area of the business, preparinga Training Needs Analysis. Finally, theyidentify ideal training pathways for individualemployees, such as government-fundedapprenticeships and Train to Gain, as well asleadership and management initiatives, andgiftfocus 91

training for successproduce a recommendation identifying yourtraining needs together with pathways andsuppliers who can deliver the training.Apprenticeships are fully funded for 16 to18-year-olds and partially funded for 19-to24-year-olds and generally require somecollege attendance. The Train to Gain initiativeis for anyone over 19 years old. It offersfunding for those either taking a first NationalVocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 or“jumping” straight to an NVQ Level 3. Thereare more than 1,300 NVQs covering the vastmajority of business sectors.Government-funded training is not alwaysthe only solution and in some cases is notsuitable for all the needs of a business. Thereare many specialist industry qualifications andyour adviser may signpost you to an industrybody or Sector Skills Council for furtheradvice. You may even have a simple need forsomething like IT training in a programme suchas Excel or Sage, which is not funded but isavailable from a local training provider.If you don’t need a full training needsanalysis and already have an idea what youare looking for, you can find out about trainingavailable in your area by contacting localcolleges or training providers. You might alsolook into whether some of your suppliersprovide training on products you sell. If so,this could give your employees an in-depthknowledge of particular products, putting themin a better position to help customers whowant more information.Management developmentWhen you’re running a small business itis often difficult to make time to developyour own skills. However, taking time out fortraining can pay for itself in terms of improvedefficiency and putting in place new ideas orprocedures to help your business grow.For example, you might want to developyour own skills in an area such as accountingor finance, which could save you money byenabling you to do more of your own financialpaperwork rather than paying an accountant.You could also brush up on your leadershipand management skills to help you manageyour staff effectively. Or you might want to doa course on a specific topic such as developinga website and trading online to take yourbusiness in a new direction.Currently there is up to £1,000 availablefor development of directors and seniormanagement:1. Up to £500 for the owner/senior manager/key director without contribution from theemployer.2. A further £500 for the senior managementteam, including the original recipient, providingthe employer matches the contribution.It is possible therefore to have a maximumof £1,500 worth of training for just a £500contribution. All organisations with betweenfive and 249 people are eligible for this funding.Training can be in any subject area that willhelp the director/manager develop in theirrole. It could be:Short courses1:1 coachingGuided learningFormal qualifications (or contributing units)Group trainingBusiness Link can give you advice on thebest solution for you and information onwhat is available. Most areas also have a freeprogramme of workshops and briefings whichcover topics such as communication skills,appraisal skills, developing management skills,influencing skills and motivating the team.Other organisations such as the Federationof Small Businesses, Institute of Directors andChambers of Commerce also run seminarsand workshops, so check their websites to seewhat is on offer in your area.If you’re looking for a longer course in aparticular subject then your local college oruniversity is a good starting point. You mightalso find a private training company or anindividual business expert who can providewhat you’re after.In conclusionBy training your staff you will help themdevelop their skills base, not only freeing upyour time to focus on the more strategicissues, but also contributing to high staffsatisfaction and motivation. When planningany training it is important to remember thatthere are equal rights of access to training forall employees including part-time workers anddisabled staff. Finally, past research by the SkillsFoundation Agency shows that businesses thatdo not train their workforce are 2.5 timesmore likely to fail than those that do, sodon’t overlook this vital aspect of runningyour business. gFurther informationFor advice on all aspects of training visit thewebsite www.businesslink.gov.uk or phone+44 (0)845 600 9006.92 giftfocus

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mini-memust-havesFrom an early age children like to wearjewellery. From traditional birth andchristening ranges to trendy streetware orsophisticated replicas just like mummy’s -there’s a whole world of junior jewellery fortoday’s young fashionistasNomination haslaunched KIKI - it’sfirst children’scollection.Inspired by amagical world of talkinganimals Nomination has created a youngand friendly collection of cute and cool charactersdesigned for children of all ages.There are five KIKI characters to collect – a cat,monkey, frog, dog and angel. The collection comprisespendant necklaces and bracelets. Each pendantis available in two versions – stainless steel withcubic zirconia and stainless steel with cubiczirconia and enamel.www.nomination.com 00800 2607 2007Jo for Girls®, a well-established name in children’s jewellery, reports abig increase in sales for its extensive range, up by 300% this year alone.The brand offers fun and cute pieces, with plenty of wow factor anddistinctive, bright packaging.Jo for Girls® continues to offer more choices in sparkly pink pieces,which are among its top sellers. Classic ‘sized-down’ adult designscontinue to sell well for the company; reflected in the huge growth ofJo for Girls charm bead collection, which was shortlisted for this year’sGift of the Year Awards. ‘Christmassy’ themed charm beads have beenintroduced - chilly snowman, cheery robin redbreast and Christmastree all in sterling silver with enamel and gold plate.www.perthshirejewellery.co.uk +44 (0)1887 820 760Molly Brown London hasintroduced the Lulu Lockets,available in small or largefor girls of all ages. Simpleand stylish they feature tinystar detailing and make ideal‘mummy and me’ gifts.Molly Brown’s children’sjewellery was shortlisted as UKJewellery Brand of the Year inthe 2010 UK Jewellery Awards.www.mollybrownlondon.com+44 (0)8443 353 923children’s jewellerySusana is a new children’s jewellery set from HABA, which featuresa cute bear and pretty pink beads and includes necklace, bracelet andring, plus pretty hair clips, bands and a colourful bandana.Piepsi includes chirpy birds and little lovehearts with a purse to match.Lucky Mushroom remains a firm favourite with colourful beads shapedlike mushrooms and leaves. Accessories include a watch, key chain andplush handbag. There is also a pretty Lucky Mushroom jewellery box.www.haba.co.uk +44 (0)1613 049 555Talbots has tapped into oneof the hottest crazes around.Bands are fun to wear and share.The silicone rubber bands areavailable in assorted colours,shapes and themes. They canbe worn as a bracelet on theirown or several at a time. Theystretch and then return to theiroriginal shape. A great pocketmoney range, children love totrade their collections. Themesinclude princess, sea life, fruits, zoo animals, cars, dinosaurs, rockand roll and more. The Bands are packed in dozens with two eachof six designs in assorted bright colours per pack.www.talbotfashions.com +44 (0)1273 776 415giftfocus 95

the new macefarredi marzianiMacef is stepping out into a new era, with new initiatives, new look and an array of stylishnew products. Sarah Reeve reports on the 89 th edition held in Milan this autumnMacef, Italy’s long established internationalhome show held twice yearly in Milan, hasbeen through troubled times but now looksset to have weathered the storm.After this autumn’s edition organisersare heralding a return to the Macef of oldfollowing the introduction of a raft of newinitiatives to help bring back the sparkle aswell as the crowds.The show boasted more exhibitors, takingup more space and a total of 76,386 visitors– a 5.2 per cent increase over the September2009 edition.“Above and beyond the excellent influxin numbers,” commented Enrico Pazzali,managing director of Fiera Milan, “theshow recorded an appreciable increment innegotiations and orders. As a result, Macefhas tangibly confirmed expectations andassumptions during the run-up to the show.The recovery is underway and the showremains an extremely useful driving forcefor business.”Echoing his comments, Marco Serioli,executive director of Rassengne, the FieraMilano Group company that organises96 96 giftfocusthe show, added: “We have just begun ona path characterised by the high quality ofoperators, particularly foreign buyers, and bythe spectacular nature of the show, the eventsand the numerous initiatives designed toemphasise the potential and the values of theItalian Experience, which has defined Macef’sway of thinking and operating since thebeginning of the year.”According to the organisers elementsthat contributed to the success of the showincluded targeted initiatives, layout andsettings, and not least, the investment made inpromoting the show with international buyers.Overall the event had a noticeable buzz,with some spectacular design features andattractions including a lively catwalk showby Camomilla (www.camomilla.it) featuringtheir colourful and trendy bags, fashionaccessories and Hello Kitty collection.The gift halls were dominated by typicallyItalian and high volume lines, includingmyth and fantasy ranges, bombonieres,trinkets, decorative and religious ornaments.However, elsewhere there was plenty toappeal to a wider audience including qualityItalian leather goods, regional and handmadeproducts. New sectors were also introducedthis year for gardening and outdoor living.Yankee Candle ® reported its most successfulMacef to date.During the opening day alone sales were up70% on those gained on the same day of theprevious year’s September edition. Overall thesales doubled for the show as a whole.Managing director Clive Harpercommented: “We are delighted with theresults of Macef 2010. Not only were the salesfantastic but the feedback from current andpotential retailers was positive.“This was the most successful Macef tradeshow we have ever attended.”The jewellery area featured 96 companies inover 2,000 square metres. A special incubatorproject featured up and coming new designersshowcasing a host of original, cutting edgedesigns. The special initiative is designed tohelp and support so eventually they can takeup their own stand at the show.For further information about Macef visitthe website www.macef.it. g

macefCreazioniOne of the jewels in the Macef crown is the Creazioni project which aims to promote thewealth of innovation and design talent in the Italian and international artistic crafts sector.The products selected stand out for their originality, innovation and creative ideas.The neighbouring Creazioni Designer area, is dedicated to emerging talent and theircreative projects.Companies within the Creazioni area this september included:CeeBee showcased its luxury recycled designsby German born designer Carmen Björnald.Items include handbags, backpacks, belts andjewellery made from recycled pages fromfashion magazines, maps, newspapers, comicsand even from old, yellowed note books foundin the loft of a musician friend.(www.ceebee.it/info@ceebee.it)Tablecloths, a Tuscan company that focuses onthe Italian tradition – from design to printing,from textiles to finish – to create tablecloths,place mats, runners and mini runners andshopping bags.Products include the T-Revolution rangeinspired by sailing, made of cotton and overlaidand sewn with recycled racing sails.(www.tablecloths.it/info@tablecloths.it)Envirosaxreports thatMacef is thestrongestEuropean eventin terms ofturnover for thecompany.Visitorsflocked to theirstand within theCreazioni area.Envirosax meets an eclectic mix of buyerseach season in Milan.Says the company: “Creazioni isprofessionally organised with a high qualitystand scheme concept.Lots of attention is paid to unifiedpresentation amongst the exhibitors, weespecially like the 3m high walls and openwall concept between the booths.(www.envirosax.com/info@envirosax.com)Hell’s Kitchen is an Italian brand based inVerona, which creates urban chic accessoriesout of recycled inner tubes.Products include notebooks, helmetsand bags. Old car and truck inner tubesare salvaged from breakers yards all overItaly, cut and washed with an eco-friendlydetergent to create a light and clean material.The bags are put together with real vintageshirts to line the insides and with used carseatbelts as shoulder straps.(www.hellskitchen.it/paola.colombera@hellskitchen.it)Anna Lodi offers a range of fashion andoriginal accessories. Anna binds togetherprecious stones, old buttons, colourful resinsand unusual materials to create works of art.She matches together natural with syntheticmaterials, simple with elaborate items, fashionwith old-style objects.Her creations include necklaces, bracelets,rings, small bags and accessories.(www.annalodi.com/anna.lodi@fastwebnet.it)giftfocus 97

If you’ve enjoyed reading Gift Focusmagazine, why not log onto our websiteat www.giftfocus.com? Containingup-to-the-minute news, events andspecial offers, the site is updatedregularly with information to help youadvance your business.Find a SupplierThe latest feature on www.giftfocus.com,the supplier directory, allows you tocontact advertisers in the magazine formore information about their productsor services. Simple to use and availableworld-wide 24 hours a day, the supplierdirectory is a reader reply service for the21 st century.PREVIOUSISSUES AVAILABLETO DOWNLOADNOW!• Back Issues ArchiveIf you’re looking for information on aparticular giftware sector or show, takea look at our back issues archive. Allback issues will be sent out post-free.Special Features• Featured ArticlesRead our regularly updated spotlightedfeatures whenever you wish, coveringlegal issues, intellectual property advice,the latest EPoS information, tips fromthe Giftware Association and much,much more.www.giftfocus.com• Media PackDownload our comprehensive on-linemedia pack for a 2010 features list,advertising rates and specifications.98 giftfocus98 giftfocus

q&a specialall the answersOur experts tackle your insurance, visual merchandising and retail technology queriesNeil McFarlane, sales and marketing director, ofT H March & Co Limited. T H March is a wellestablishedfamily business founded in 1887,with offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester,Glasgow, Sevenoaks and Yelverton, near Plymouth.The company has departments coveringhousehold, motor, life and income protection,travel, commercial and scheme insurance.Alan Springall’s work has always involved displayand exhibitions, from 13 years in Selfridges’ displaydepartment to lecturing at colleges and runninga consultancy with his partner. Areas of expertiseinclude design, construction, prop making,merchandise handling, and exhibitions.Stephanie Jerome is a founder of the IntelligentRetail Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)programme and has optimised many retailwebsites over the years. She is closely tappedinto the UK and worldwide SEO community andconducts her own research into SEO techniquesas a specialist in SEO for eCommerce and retail.Call +44 (0)1635 517923 or email sjerome@intelligentretail.co.uk for more information.If you have a question about any aspect of the gift retail industry, simply writeto: Q&A special, Gift Focus Magazine, Broseley House, Newlands Drive, Witham,Essex, CM8 2UL. Alternatively, send your queries to editor@giftfocus.com.christmasQcheerWith Christmas in mind I am trying to think of somethingthat will make our shop stand out this year. We have somespace where our garden section is during the summer andwe were thinking about turning it into a Christmas area toentertain rather than sell. Do you have any advice on howto approach this?QAAlan Springall says: The most important approach is tomake it a good quality experience. Small and perfect will beviewed much more favourably than big and tacky. The badpublicity generated by inexperienced people trying to makemoney from a Christmas Wonderland in the past couple ofyears should be enough of a cautionary tale.Don’t try to recoup the set-up costs by charging for entry.This is the season for making your customers feel that youare giving something back. Hopefully the increase in saleswill pay for the show, if not immediately, long term goodwilland repeat visits are almost guaranteed.If the show is sufficiently entertaining and of good qualityit will create word-of-mouth recommendation and, if yousend out an attractive press release, free coverage in thelocal media.If you are considering giving the children a gift, either fromFather Christmas and his elves or from a simple bran-tub,make it free. A cheap and cheerful gift, given away is betterthan complicating the process by charging for it, causing yourcustomers to judge whether it is of sufficient value (theyusually think that it isn’t) and of course it’s a great way ofgetting rid of all those crazy frog-shaped rubbers that youhaven’t been able to shift.Avoid animated figures unless you have deep pockets,figures that act convincingly are expensive, cheap oneslook pretty pathetic. There is a healthy second-handmarket in figures/tableaux advertised in some of the trademagazines which is worth investigating should you beinterested in an all-action Santa’s workshop or populatedsnowy woodland glen.Be honest about your creative and budgetary limitationsthough, these promotions eat up time, space and money butif you can manage to create something memorable it willensure that your customers put it on their places-to-visitbefore-Christmaslist and will return every year.giftfocus 101

all the answerstheQpower of TwitterI heard that if I use Twitter I can bring morepeople to my website. How does this work?Stephanie Jerome says: By creating a Twitteraccount and updating it regularly, you actuallybuild Aa strong bridge between the power ofTwitter and your website. It opens the door topotential customers who haven’t come acrossyou before, and it enhances the strength ofyour website in search engines, allowing you torank higher than your competitors. However,to get these benefits, you or your staff willneed to commit the time to posting regularlyon Twitter.Remember that the time spent working onyour Twitter account is time invested in youronline success. Setting up the account wouldtake around 20 minutes and each subsequent‘tweet’ would take about a minute to write.I always recommend you post at least oncea day. If you post one tweet every day, that’sjust minutes on Twitter each week. Such asmall time investment can really make a vastdifference to the popularity of your business.People are much more likely to follow abusiness if they know they’re always going tobe updated with goings on. A Twitter accountwhich looks virtually deserted will put peopleoff. So if they see that you post frequently,they’re more likely to feel comfortable withfollowing you and interacting with you.Remember though, that as your popularitygrows, people will start asking questions andit’s important that you’ve allowed yourselfenough time every day to respond to people.Taking a long time to reply doesn’t look verygood, and you don’t want to miss out on apotential sale. You can set up alerts so thatevery time someone sends you a message,you get an email to let you know. This at leastallows you to track what’s happening andrespond quickly.Alan Springall says: It is all about encouragingthe local population to view your businessas generous, interesting and part of theAcommunity. People will appreciate the effortthe business has put in to join in with localor national celebrations. The aim is to give apositive image of the shop which promotesgoodwill and confidence to buy next time theneed arises.Other events that could be worthconsidering are a local fun run or festival,ecological issues, Christmas entertainment,national events like the 2012 Olympics androyal celebrations.Don’t overdo it though, twice a year isadequate. The very different nature of this typeof display is a good contrast to the regulardisplays and will ensure that the shop attractsattention by looking fresh and topical.minimum coverI have a single retail premises which employstwo staff as well as me – what is theminimum amount of cover I legally need?Neil McFarlane says: Employers liability coveris the only insurance cover required legallyQfor staff working within a retail premises. Thisis due to the terms of the Employers Liability(compulsory insurance) Act 1969. Howeveras members of the public will be visiting thepremises, it is strongly recommended thatyou also have public liability cover. Of coursecover for stock, contents, buildings, businessinterruption and any other physical assets isalso important.102 giftfocusAAAgetting the best priceWould you recommend using a comparisonsite for my next insurance renewal for myshop, or is it best to contact insurancecompanies direct?Neil McFarlane says: I wouldn’t recommendcommunity spiritusing a comparison site for shop insurance.Here in South Wales we recently hostedQQShop insurance can be quite complex andthe Ryder Cup and one of my competitors most quotations on a comparison site wouldinstalled a window charting the history of the probably have many subjectivities and termscompetition and details of the 2010 teams. and conditions.The shop stocks no golf equipment and I would also not recommend contactingshowed no merchandise in the window. an insurance company direct but contactingWhat advantage do you think was gained an insurance broker instead. An insurancefrom this presentation?company will only be able to offer one productA– their own! An insurance broker, however,will be able to establish your insurance needs,give advice and discuss the cover you need.They will then be able to approach a numberof insurance companies on your behalf witha clear idea of your requirements. Oncequotations are obtained they will be able todiscuss these with you, putting a number ofalternatives forward and explaining any termsand conditions.extra coverI’m hosting an evening event at my store togenerate custom for Christmas and haveinvited a large number of members of thepublic – I’m planning to serve champagneand canapés – do I need to take out anyadditional insurance for this event?Neil McFarlane says: Firstly, for any eventwhere you are inviting members of the public,Qit is important to make sure you have coverfor public and products liability, to cover againstaccidental injury to the public and accidentaldamage to their property. This would apply inthe normal course of running your store, inaddition to any special events you may hold. Asyou will be serving food and drink at the event,this cover needs to extend to food poisoning.Most current shop insurance policies, undertheir public and products liability section, wouldautomatically cover this risk. However youshould always check your policy or speak withyour insurance broker or provider, to ensurethis is the case.If you are employing an outside catering firmfor the canapés and champagne, you shouldcheck that they have adequate public liabilityinsurance cover in force.If you do not already have public andproducts liability cover you should, as aminimum, take it out specifically for this event.Even if you already have a shop policy whichincludes public and products liability cover, it isadvisable to notify your insurers of this event,in order that they can ensure your policy coveris arranged on the correct basis to includeevents such as these.You may also wish to consider taking outevent cancellation cover to take care of yourcosts should the event have to be cancelleddue to the occurrence of a number ofdefined events. g

subscribe to gift focussubscribeFill in the form below to receive a regularcopy of your favourite magazineGift Focus magazine, the leading tradetitle for the giftware industry, is available freeof charge to qualifi ed registered readers.Published six times a year, Gift Focus containsnews on industry trends, new products andall gift trade events. Simply fi ll in the formbelow and post to Gift Focus magazine,c/o KD Media Publishing Ltd, Broseley House,Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex, CM8 2UL.Alternatively, photocopy the form and fax to+44 (0)1376 514 555 or register online at thewebsite www.giftfocus.com.Subscription formDo you work in the giftware industry?YesNameJob titleCompany nameAddressTelephoneEmail addressNoPostcodeFacsimilePlease tick one or more of the boxes below which best describe your business.Independent Gift ShopGift Shop MultipleGarden CentreDepartment StoreWholesaler/Cash & CarryOther (Please specify)ImporterMail OrderAgent/RepManufacturerMuseum/Heritage OutletNumber of Employees1-5 6-1516-30 31-5051-100 101-300301-1000 1001 +Annual Turnover£0-£25,000 £25,001 - £50,000£50,001 - £100,000 £100,001 - £250,000£250,001 - £1,000,000 £1,000,001 - £5,000,000£5,000,001 - £10,000,000 £10,000,001 - £50,000,000£50,000,001 +Do you wish to receive a free copy of Gift Focus Magazine?YesNoSignatureDategiftfocus 103

next issue...Bumper Spring Fair previewYour essential guide to the UK’s biggest homeand gift showStone BagsNature’s bountySpotlight on naturaland organic productsFashion handbagsAll the latest trends and best buysPintail CandlesAromatikaIssue 63January/February 2011Available from 17 th January 2011AdvertisingDeadline: 31 st December 2010Plus• Ambiente preview• Novelty gifts• Industry newsMother’s DayCash in on this major gift buying occasion104 giftfocus

product showcaseWe reveal some of this season’shottest giftsMarmite - ‘Love It or Hate It’Marmite beganmaking this distinctivespread over ahundred years agoand it has been apopular topic ofdebate ever since.Thought of as aBritish institution and recognised internationally, Marmite by Wildand Wolf features the brilliant Marmite design with distinctivebranded label and eye catching colours on a range of melamine,stainless steel and enamel items. Many products are now in stock,order now for Christmas. To see the full collection, visit us at TopDrawer Spring, Stand K14. For more information call 01225 789 909,email sales@wildandwolf.com or visit www.wildandwolf.comFreedom CollectionThe Stack Ring Co offers you all of the key trends for spring summer2011. Citrus tinges of colour energise and excite, pearls soften andthe glistening sparkle of cz adds apassionate notion.Freedom is the key focus, mystical,enchanted, vibrant or gentle. It is yourchoice.The Freedom collection of stackrings are made of 92.5 sterling silverand plated with rhodium. WP £4.95,RRP £12.95 for each ring. Design yourown unique stack by mix and matchingyour rings. Please contact us on 01823698 898 or visit the websitewww.silver-willow.comRob RyanIntroducing The Rob Ryan Collection. The British artist, famouslyknown for his intricate and delicate papercuts, painstakingly cut byhand, presents his fi rst gift collection in collaboration with Wildand Wolf. Both wistful and whimsical, he freely admits his picturesand stories are unashamedly sentimental. Beautiful imagery andstatements of honesty feature in a range of new formats, includinga set of four 9” ceramic plates, bunting, oil cloth roll, ceramic vase,canvas shopper and more. Many Rob Ryan products are in stock,with more coming in soon! Tosee the full collection, visit usat Top Drawer Spring, StandK14. For more information call01225 789 909, email sales@wildandwolf.com or visitwww.wildandwolf.com

function anddesignGreen & Co's contemporary range of interior accessorieslaunched to the trade this year winning instant acclaim.Founder Lindsey Green takes up the story so farIt's been a whirlwind year for up and comingnew business Green & Co.Making its debut at design-led London tradeshow Top Drawer this autumn the companyscooped the best new home product award.Lindsey was delighted by the positiveresponse to her range of screen printedmagnetic notice boards and clocks.“Top Drawer 2010 was the fi rst trade showI had done and although I believed in theproduct, I had no real idea as to whether theywould get a positive response,” she says.Her fi rst ever trade show proved to be adaunting but positive experience.“Our anxieties were allayed from the startto be honest as we had a really high level ofinterest, and the award for best new homeproduct was the icing on the cake.“What was also useful aside from thepositive comments about the products, wasthe degree of feedback and guidance wegot from the retailers in terms of what theyneeded to see from us. We gained lots ofadditional ideas and actions to take on board.“Also, the camaraderie amongst otherexhibitors was fantastic, everyone was reallysupportive towards each other.”With a background in fashion and textiledesign Lindsey spent her early career workingas a display manager for a high street fashionretailer. She then decided to set up her ownbusiness, and opened a design based fl orist inHarrogate which she ran for a number of yearsbefore starting a family.“My children are now three and fi ve yearsold, and last year I fi nally found myself withthe time to look at a new venture,” sheexplains.“I've always been passionate aboutlovely home accessories and notice boardswas one area where I felt there wasn't aproduct available that I'd want in my home.As the economy was struggling at the time(and arguably still is) it seemed sensible to lookat products that had a functional element tothem as well as a design element.”Her key considerations were that theproducts should be high quality and madein the UK and decided on a fi rm, hands onapproach in order to achieve her objectives.Before launching her products she spentmonths working with different designs andproduction materials to get the desired results.At fi rst she sold via an online retailer andcontacts she had made through her earlierdays in retail.The design inspiration behind the range wasto produce things she loved.Lindsey explains: “I wanted to ensure thequality was right, which it has to be if there isgoing to be a premium associated with madein the UK rather than overseas. The designs arebold, and I wanted to make use of statementsthat are logical for the product – such asForget Me Not for notice boards, Better LateThan Never on clocks.“In terms of colours, they are typically ontwo themes. One being the subtle mutedcolours associated with country homes andthen a more bold, statement set of boards thatreally grab the eye. We wanted them to beable to be seen as art pieces as well as noticeboards, and have seen a number of galleriesrunning with them.”In terms of production Lindsey comes upwith the designs and a fabrication companymake the steel boards and powder coat them.“I then work with a screen printer to get mydesigns onto the boards. I use handmadeceramic magnets and badge magnets tocomplete the boards and ensure they arewrapped and presented in the right manner.I have a strong belief that the packaging andpresentation needs to be spot on!”As to the future Lindsey adds: “I hope thatnew ideas for next year's show create thesame enthusiasm from potential customersthat I saw this year.” gFurther information+44 (0)1904 744 975lindseygreen@tiscali.co.uk106 giftfocus